NORTHERN IRELAND

Pathologists

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to set up a group to control the actions taken by pathologists in order to prevent errors in their work.

Des Browne: In Northern Ireland, a consultation exercise took place between October 2000 and January 2001 on the document XConfidence in the Future", which addressed prevention, recognition and management of poor performance in the HPSS. The recommendations made in this report are currently being taken forward. Discssions are also ongoing with national bodies such as the National Clinical Assessment Authority on how to put in place further guidance to the HPSS on the management of poor performance when it is identified.

Animal Sanctuaries

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Government's policy towards funding animal sanctuaries in Northern Ireland; and if money raised by licences will be used to help fund these bodies.

Ian Pearson: Animal sanctuaries in Northern Ireland are not required to be licensed under the 1972 Welfare of Animals Act. In line with developments in Great Britain, DARD will be reviewing the need to introduce specific welfare controls on animal sanctuaries, which may include licensing. As part of that review, the issue of funding sanctuaries can be considered but there is no financial provision currently available for such funding. If a licensing fee were to be introduced it is unlikely that this could provide a significant source of income for animal sanctuaries.

Castle Gardens School

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the South Eastern Education and Library Board made application to the Chancery Court in connection with the status of the former Castle Gardens Primary School building in Newtownards; and when the ruling by the Chancery Court is expected.

Jane Kennedy: As the South-Eastern Education and Library Board wishes to retain these premises for alternative educational purposes, it has obtained advice of senior legal Counsel about this matter. Acting on this advice, the Board has made contact with Charities Branch, DHSSPS, with a view to the Board being appointed as new trustee in place of previous trustees.The application to the Chancery Court depends upon the outcome of this process.

Fire and Ambulance Service Attacks

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many incidents and attacks on Fire Service and Ambulance Service personnel and vehicles have been recorded in each month since January; and what measures he has taken to protect staff of the emergency services.

Jane Kennedy: The Northern Ireland Fire Brigade report all attacks and associated incidents as 'civil disturbance' calls. It is not possible to identify the number of actual attacks on the brigade, however, they do record the number of firefighters injured and appliances damaged as a result of these 'civil disturbance' calls. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service record the actual number of attacks on personnel and vehicles. These are detailed in the following table.
	The Government condemn attacks on those who are there to provide a vital service to the entire community. Those who engage in this type of behaviour need to be reminded that some day they or their families may need to call on the assistance of these same emergency services.
	
		
			  NI Fire Brigade NI Ambulance Service  
			 Month Personnel injured Appliances damaged Personnel attacked Vehicles attacked 
		
		
			 January 2 11 0 0 
			 February 2 7 3 2 
			 March 1 9 6 2 
			 April 1 18 9 1 
			 May 7 19 7 2 
			 June 1 9 11 5 
			 July 0 13 7 4 
			 August 0 9 11 2 
			 September 0 8 7 4  
			 Totals 14 103 61 22

Firefighters' Strike

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions have taken place between the Northern Ireland Office and the Fire Brigades Union on strike action by firefighters.

Des Browne: The Secretary of State met representatives of the Fire Brigades Union on 6 September 2002. The subject of pay, conditions and potential industrial action was raised and the Fire Brigades Union set out their position, which the Secretary of State noted.
	I met with the Fire Brigade's Union on 24 October 2002 about their proposed industrial action. At that meeting I asked the Fire Brigades Union to reconsider their threat to strike and to co-operate with the independent review which is examining the issues of pay and modernisation.

Firefighters' Strike

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what measures will be in place to give fire cover in the North Down constituency if the Fire Brigades Union takes strike action.

Des Browne: In the event of strike action by the Fire Brigades Union, fire cover will be provided throughout Northern Ireland, including the North Down constituency, by the Army, supported by the Police Service for Northern Ireland, with the strategic deployment of 32 Yellow Goddesses and 19 Breathing Apparatus Rescue Teams. Deployment locations for these resources include Belfast and Bangor. These alternative arrangements cannot replicate the current firefighting capability, but will try to minimise the danger to human life. There is also likely to be cover provided by members of the Retained Fire fighters Union in rural locations but the extent of support will not be apparent until near the first day industrial action.

Firefighters' Strike

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what preparations he has made to ensure the safety and continuity of service to the public in the event of a firefighters' strike; and what the cost is to the Department of these actions.

Des Browne: In the event of a firefighters' strike, emergency cover will be provided in Northern Ireland by the Army, supported by the Police Service for Northern Ireland, using 32 yellow goddesses and 19 breathing apparatus rescue teams. These alternative arrangements cannot replicate the current fire service capability, but will try to minimise the danger to human life to ensure that day to day activities can continue as normal. Government Departments and the Fire Authority have been involved in providing advice to businesses, public bodies, including schools, and the public on reducing the risk of fire and road traffic accidents.
	The additional costs that may be incurred have not yet been finalised.

Royal Victoria Hospital

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of retained organs at the Royal Victoria Hospital were (a) destroyed after a short period of time, (b) used for research, (c) sent to other hospitals and (d) stored at the Royal Victoria Hospital between 1972 and 2001.

Des Browne: The information requested is not available.

Royal Victoria Hospital

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons have been held accountable for the errors in organ retention at the Royal Victoria Hospital; and what the ratio of organ retention was during the (a) pre-trust and (b) post-trust periods.

Des Browne: The Board of the Royal Group of Hospitals Trust has fully accepted all the criticisms and recommendations outlined in the report of the Human Organs Inquiry. No individuals have been held accountable, since the actions taken previously were in line with what was considered appropriate professional practice at the time.
	Information is not available on the ratio of organ retention before and after the establishment of the trust.

Royal Victoria Hospital

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many organs were retained at the Royal Victoria Hospital between 1972 and 2001; what the ratio was between heart and other organs; and what definitions of (a) organs and (b) tissues were used.

Des Browne: The inventory provided by the Royal Victoria Hospital to the Chief Medical Officer in March 2001 showed that a total of 1,131 organs were retained and stored in the period 1970 and 2001 (including 151 paediatric organs that pre-dated 1970). Approximately one-third of the organs were hearts.
	For the purposes of the inventory an organ was defined as an entire organ or something that was recognisably an organ. Tissue referred to the contents of blocks and slides derived from organs or larger samples. The Human Organs Inquiry used the following definitions: XOrgan(s)—a part of the body composed of more than one tissue that forms a structural unit responsible for a particular function (or functions)"; and XTissue—organs contain tissue, ie collections of cells which give organs their special functions".

Royal Victoria Hospital

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when Mr. William McKee was appointed (a) Chief Executive of the Royal Victoria Hospital and (b) Chief Executive of the Royal Group of Hospitals.

Des Browne: The information is as follows:
	(a) Mr. McKee did not hold the position of Chief Executive of the Royal Victoria Hospital. He was however employed by the Eastern Health and Social Services Board as Group Administrator for the Royal Hospitals from September 1988, and as Unit General Manager for the Royal Hospitals from March 1989.
	(b) He was appointed Chief Executive of the Royal Group of Hospitals and Dental Hospital Health and Social Services Trust from November 1992.

Royal Victoria Hospital

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on his policy on coroners' post-mortems; and if he will permit bereaved relatives to claim organs retained by the coroner.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply 
	as I have ministerial responsibility for the Northern Ireland Court Service, which includes the administration of the Coroners Service. A coroner in the exercise of his judicial discretion may order a post mortem examination in respect of deaths notified to him under the Coroners (Northern Ireland) Act 1959. Where organs are removed for forensic analysis following such a post mortem they may be retained for such period as the coroner thinks fit. It is now policy to inform the relatives of a deceased person if any organs have been retained following a post mortem. At a later stage after the cause of death has been established the Coroner will usually exercise his judicial discretion to return the retained organs to the family.

Royal Victoria Hospital

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when Dr. Sodhi was employed as resident pathologist at the Royal Victoria Hospital; and how many hearts he retained after post-mortem during that time.

Des Browne: No record of the employment of Dr. Sodhi nor of any details of organ retention by him/her is available. This may reflect the fact that records of staff employed prior to the 1980s were not retained.

Killyleagh Traffic Measures

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what progress has been made with the construction of traffic calming measures at Frederick Street and Braeside Gardens in Killyleagh;
	(2)  what progress has been made with provision of a pedestrian crossing in Catherine Street in Killyleagh;
	(3)  if he will erect signs in Killyleagh, directing motorists to the car park in Frederick Street.
	(4)  what progress has been made with investigations concerning the transferring of ownership of the car park in Frederick Street, Killyleagh from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to the roads service with a view to improving the facility.

Paul Murphy: The subject matters raised are a matter for the Roads Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to reply directly to the hon. Lady. A copy of the letter will be placed in the Library.

Selective Schools

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the future of selective schools in Northern Ireland.

Jane Kennedy: Extensive consultation on the Burns Report has demonstrated almost universal support for abolition of the Transfer Tests and a predominant view that academic selection should be ended although there was also substantial opposition to this proposal. In light of the views expressed the Department of Education will be meeting with key education partners to build on that consensus and develop new post-primary arrangements that are fair, enable all children to reach their full potential and provide a modern education system for the 21st century.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Affordable Housing

Martin Linton: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action he has taken to address the housing shortage for (a) key workers and (b) tenants of registered social landlords in overcrowded accommodation in Battersea.

Tony McNulty: The Government are very aware of the need to provide more good quality affordable housing for both workers and social housing tenants in Battersea and other parts of London.
	By 2003–04 #482 million of the #1.2 billion funding from the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme will go directly to London projects. The Challenge Fund of #200 million is also being targeted on the south-east to increase supply. I expect London to get a significant proportion of this.
	#146 million of the #250 million funding dedicated through the starter home initiative has also been allocated to London schemes. We expect about 4,600 nurses, teachers, police and other key workers to benefit as a result.
	The Government Office for London and the Housing Corporation are working with local authorities to increase the delivery of affordable housing across London. They will encourage and support innovative schemes maximising the potential for redevelopment of local authority and other public sector assets for affordable housing; achieve improvements in planning performance; and identify and get action on blockages to the speedy delivery of sites for affordable housing.
	The Government are aware of concerns that the current overcrowding standards need updating as they date from the Housing Act 1935 and have not been revised since then. We are considering the best way to tackle the problem.

Local Government Boundaries

Don Foster: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister by what date he expects the publication of the final recommendations of the Boundary Committee in respect of the periodic ward boundary review for the Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council; by what date he expects the recommendations to be implemented; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: These are now matters for the independent Electoral Commission, to which the periodic electoral reviews functions of the former Local Government Commission for England and of the Secretary of State were transferred by the Local Government Commission for England (Transfer of Functions) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/3962).

Empty Homes

Andrew Love: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what evaluation he has made of the introduction of a compulsory leasing scheme for derelict empty properties; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is currently evaluating the recommendation to allow local authorities to compulsorily lease empty homes put forward in the report by the Transport, Local Government and the Regions Select Committee on Empty Homes. A statement will be made in due course.

Empty Homes

Andrew Love: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to strengthen the powers of (a) local authorities and (b) registered social landlords compulsorily to purchase empty properties; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no plans to strengthen existing powers to compulsorily purchase empty properties.

Empty Homes

Andrew Love: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to enhance the power of local authorities to deal with derelict empty properties; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is considering a range of measures to assist local authorities in dealing with empty homes. A statement will be made in due course.

English Partnerships

Peter Bradley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  when decisions will be made as to which and when non-strategic sites will be transferred from English Partnerships to local authorities;
	(2)  when decisions will be made as to whether claw-back of development value from local authorities will be waived in respect of (a) sites to be transferred from English Partnerships to local authorities, (b) sites already transferred and (c) strategic sites.

Tony McNulty: These issues will be addressed in the Government's forthcoming response to the House of Commons Transport, Local Government Committee's report XThe New Towns: Their Problems and Future". I will write to my hon. Friend again when we publish our response.

Firefighters' Strike

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the inventory is of green goddess fire engines; and how many are operational.

Christopher Leslie: The green goddess fleet numbers 1,027 in total. Of the 945 currently in issue and under the Ministry of Defence control, around 98 per cent. were operational as at 21 October.

Focus Group Research

Graham Allen: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what use he and his Department have made of focus group research since June 2001; if he will identify for each research project the topics covered, the person or organisation carrying out the research, and the total cost; and if he will publish the research on his Department's website.

Christopher Leslie: Focus group research forms an element of a number of projects that come within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister research programmes. This is not always costed separately and the conclusions of focus groups are incorporated into the final research reports.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has used focus groups research with members of the general public to help inform and develop the fire safety publicity campaign covering Careless Smoking, Fire Action Plan, Excuses Kill, and Smoke Alarms.
	Research projects were carried out by Andrew Irving, Cragg Ross Dawson and the COI; the sums paid to each contractor for individual pieces of work are regarded as commercial in confidence. The overall spend on focus group research for the fire safety campaign since June 2001 is #69,481.
	Specific focus group data are not published on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister website as they form part of a wide range of information and research used to inform public safety campaigns.

Local Elections

Ann Coffey: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement about the timing of local elections in England in 2004.

Nick Raynsford: We want to see a modern, efficient electoral system, so that voting for all electors is as convenient and as straightforward as possible. We are therefore concerned that in 2004 many electors are being asked to vote on two separate occasions within the space of five weeks. Firstly, in local council elections or elections for the London Mayor and Assembly on 6 May, and secondly, for the European Parliament on 10 June.
	As a result, I am, along with the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Pontefract and Castleford (Yvette Cooper), who is responsible for European Parliamentary elections in England and Wales, launching today a consultation document inviting views on our proposal to postpone the English local elections and the Greater London Authority elections from Thursday 6 May 2004 to Thursday 10 June 2004, the same day as the European Parliamentary election.
	In this consultation we are seeking views on the practical issues that would arise from making this change. We are also seeking views on the option of weekend voting. We are seeking views by January 2003. I am placing a copy of this document in the Library of the House.
	We would need primary legislation to make this change. We are therefore considering introducing a clause in the proposed Local Government Bill, which would allow us to change the date of the 2004 local and GLA elections by means of Statutory Instrument. Subject to the outcome of our consultation, and to Parliament's approval of the necessary legislation, our aim would be to put in place any postponement of the 2004 local and GLA elections by autumn 2003. We are considering separately whether the programme of election pilots such as voting by the internet, by phone, or by all-postal voting should go ahead in full in 2004, were we to move the local and GLA elections to coincide with the European Parliamentary elections. We intend to reach a firm conclusion on this in good time, taking into account that any piloting in such combined elections would require separate primary legislation.

Planning Guidance (Renewable Energy)

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to review planning guidance for renewable energy generation; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: We will be issuing revised draft planning guidance on renewable energy (PPS 22) at the turn of the year.

Travellers

David Atkinson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to review guidance to police forces and local authorities on unauthorised traveller encampments.

Tony McNulty: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, in conjunction with the Home Department, will issue joint guidance on managing unauthorised camping by gypsies and other travellers by the end of the year.
	In addition, the Home Office will legislate for stronger enforcement powers for the police to move on unauthorised traveller camps, providing the local authority has adequate site provision in the area.
	To help facilitate local authority site provision, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has extended the 2003–04 round of the current Gypsy Sites Refurbishment grant to include funding for temporary transit and emergency stopping places.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Parish Council Auditing

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will estimate the average costs to parish councils, broken down into bands according to size, of the internal audit work, in the new lighter touch audit scheme, which will be required to be carried out in addition to the main audit; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: Information on the cost to parish councils of internal audit is not held centrally, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The new 'lighter touch' audit regime does not impose any new internal audit requirements. There has been a legal requirement for councils to maintain a system of internal audit for many years, and guidance on good practice on carrying out internal audit is available from the national associations representing parish councils.

Accounts and Audit Regulations

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proposals he has to lay before the House amendments to the Accounts and Audit Regulations 1996 (SI 1996/590).

Nick Raynsford: My Department is currently consulting on amendments to the Accounts and Audit Regulations 1996. The consultation period on this will come to an end on 9 December, and the responses received will then be considered. The aim will be to lay the revised regulations before the House early next year.

Children's Residential Homes

Annette Brooke: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the proportion of the cost of specialist residential placements for vulnerable children contributed by different health authorities is taken into account in financial allocations for social services to local authorities; and if he will take account of this matter in the process of determining the new funding formulae for local authorities.

Nick Raynsford: The proportion of the cost of specialist residential placements for vulnerable children contributed by the NHS in different health authorities is not taken into account in the standard spending assessments for social services. This is also true of the options for the new formulae which we have consulted on over the Summer. Resources for health and social services to an area are allocated separately, with social services providing the majority of residential care. Joint funding arrangements that are then reached between Primary Care Trusts (which now commission NHS services) and local authorities are a local policy decision.

Fire Service (East Sussex)

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) fire stations and (b) fire appliances there were in East Sussex in the last 12 months.

Nick Raynsford: According to the latest annual returns to Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate, at 31 March 2002 there were 24 fire stations, 38 front-line and 9 reserve pumping appliances, 15 front-line special appliances and one reserve special appliance.

Firefighters' Dispute

Vincent Cable: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action he plans to take to deploy additional fire prevention and emergency resources in Twickenham on dates for events to be held at the rugby stadium in the event of industrial action by the Fire Brigades Union; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: Places of work and entertainment are already subject to a range of duties under fire safety and health and safety legislation. The owner or operator of a building or other type of site is responsible for safety on site and emergency evacuation arrangements. Organisers of public sporting events should therefore check their preparedness and review their contingency arrangements accordingly, in consultation with the local Chief Fire Officer as appropriate. The command and operational structure for emergency fire cover has been designed to enable maximum flexibility and use of available resources, and deployment of resources will be kept under continual review.

Firefighters' Dispute

Vincent Cable: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what action he plans to take to deploy additional military resources to (a) Greater London and (b) Inner London in the event of industrial action by the Fire Brigades Union; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: Emergency cover in the Greater London region will consist of a number of elements including 90 Green Goddesses, 20 breathing apparatus teams, a rescue team equipped with specialist equipment and the police. These will be deployed in four sectors, so a breakdown across Inner London is not practicable. The provision of MoD emergencyfire cover has been planned in consultation with the Chief Fire Officer to maximisethe effectiveness of call-outs and the availability of a range of firefighting capabilities.

Firefighters' Dispute

David Laws: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to make available the existing stock of Fire Service fire fighting vehicles and appliances to members of the armed forces in the event of a strike by firefighters; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: We have no immediate plans to seek to use the existing stock of local fire authority owned or leased fire fighting vehicles and appliances in the event of a strike by firefighters as this would pose serious logistical and training problems. The position will be kept under review. The safety of the public in the event of a strike will remain the government's overriding objective.

Firefighters' Dispute

David Laws: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to (a) restrict the marketing and use of fireworks during strikes by firefighters and (b) introduce special measures for areas with a high proportion of thatched properties; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: We have no plans to restrict the marketing and use of fireworks during any strike by the firefighters, and no plans to introduce special measures for areas with significant numbers of thatched cottages. I have publicly said that people would be better advised to attend organised public firework displays than use them at home. Guidance has been issued to organisers of public displays. We are pleased that the Fire Brigades Union has now agreed and suspended its proposed strike action in this period leading up to Bonfire night.

Firefighters' Dispute

David Laws: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what his estimate is of the number of fire fighting emergency vehicles which will be available in Somerset in the event of a firefighters strike; how many are available in a non-strike situation; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: Emergency cover in Somerset, as for the rest of the country, will consist of a number of elements including Green Goddesses, breathing apparatus teams, rescue teams equipped with specialist equipment and the police. The Somerset Fire Brigade has 40 pumps and 15 special appliances. The provision of MoD emergency fire cover has been planned in consultation with the Chief Fire Officer to maximise the effectiveness of call-outs and the availability of a range of firefighting capabilities. The command and operational structure for emergency fire cover has been designed to enable maximum flexibility and use of available resources, whether from within a county or from assets deployed nearby in neighbouring counties.

Firefighters' Dispute

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many green goddess fire engines will be allocated to (a) Staffordshire and (b) the Lichfield Tamworth district during industrial action taken by the FBU.

Nick Raynsford: In the event of a firefighters' strike, emergency cover in Staffordshire, as in the rest of the country, will consist of a number of elements, including Green Goddesses, breathing apparatus teams, rescue teams equipped with specialist equipment and the police. The provision of MoD emergency fire cover has been planned in consultation with the Chief Fire Officer to maximise the effectiveness of call-outs and the availability of a range of firefighting capabilities. The command and operational structure for emergency fire cover has been designed to enable maximum flexibility and use of available resources, whether from within a county or from assets deployed nearby in neighbouring counties.

Firefighters' Dispute

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will issue mobile radio communications equipment to crews operating Green Goddess fire engines to communicate with emergency control centres.

Nick Raynsford: Mobile telecommunications have been procured for use by the crews of the Green Goddesses in the event of a firefighters' strike, to facilitate communication with control centres.

Firefighters' Dispute

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average length is of firefighting training given to members of the armed services covering for the striking firefighters; whether all service personnel carrying out firefighting duties have been issued with protective clothing; under which health and safety guidelines the armed service personnel will be operating; what personal liability the members of the armed forces will have whilst attempting to rescue or help people in their firefighting role; and what life insurance he provides to armed service personnel carrying out firefighting duties.

Nick Raynsford: Personnel have been trained and equipped to provide basic emergency fire and rescue cover. The level of training is dependent on the skills already held by personnel and the role that they would perform in the event of a strike. Drivers and basic crew only require a short training package because of the simple nature of the equipment. Fire Rescue Teams fulfil a more difficult role, which utilises technical equipment in dangerous situations. Some Fire Rescue Teams are already trained and experienced in the use of breathing apparatus and other specialist equipment but additional personnel have also been trained in these techniques. Other support training as well as driver training includes first aid training and specialist equipment maintenance training.
	Basic training for fire rescue team personnel lasts up to five weeks, depending on skill levels and role, plus any other necessary follow on training. All military personnel carrying out firefighting duties are being issued with protective kit. While providing the emergency cover, military personnel would follow standard health and safety guidelines, and members of the Armed Forces would not be subject to personal liability. Normal insurance cover and support would be provided to all members of the Armed Forces, as they would be for any other operational duty.

Firefighters' Dispute

Simon Thomas: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  if he will list by constituency in Wales the number of Green Goddesses that will be available in each in the event of a Fire Brigade strike;
	(2)  if he will list by constituency in Wales the number of (a) specialist breathing apparatus rescue teams and (b) rescue equipment support teams that will be available in each in the event of a Fire Brigade strike.

Christopher Leslie: Emergency cover in Wales, as elsewhere, will consist of a number of elements including Green Goddess crews, breathing apparatus rescue teams (BARTs), regional equipment rescue teams (RESTs) equipped with specialist equipment and the police. The provision of MOD emergency fire cover has been planned in consultation with the Chief Fire Officer to maximise call-out response times and the availability of a range of firefighting capabilities.
	The command and operational structure for emergency fire cover has been designed to enable maximum flexibility and use of available resources, whether from within a county or from assets deployed nearby in neighbouring counties. The deployment of fire fighters will be based on the assessment of how best to respond to an emergency in the quickest time possible.

Firefighters' Dispute

Nigel Evans: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what preparations he has made to ensure the safety and continuity of service to the public in the event of a firefighters' strike.

Nick Raynsford: As the Deputy Prime Minister set out in his statement to the House on 22 October, the Government have put a range of measures in place to secure public safety in the event of industrial action by the FBU. Our focus has been on taking what steps we can to safeguard life and, as far as possible, to protect property where the normal fire cover is not available. Detailed planning began in August and training started on 28 August. The plans are based on support from the armed services, and the acceptance by the police of additional responsibilities during an industrial action.
	There are three main elements to the plans. First, on the assumption that the fire control centres will not be operating during the strike, arrangements are being made for fire service 999 calls to be redirected. Every call will be answered. Secondly, emergency cover will be provided by a range of appliances staffed by crews from the Army, RAF and Navy. Nationwide, there will be 827 Green Goddesses, which will be able to provide a basic firefighting capability. There will also be 331 specialist breathing apparatus rescue teams and 59 regional equipment support teams that will offer specialist skills.
	Thirdly, the Government has made available basic safety guidance and information to the public and to business. That is being supplemented by a range of other measures such as a public information campaign on radio and television, a mail drop to some 4 million households and a letter to the 15,000 largest businesses giving specific advice on fire safety and general health and safety issues. In the event of a strike by the FBU, the military and police, assisted by those firefighters and fire officers who choose to continue to work, will be in a position to provide a basic emergency service. We have always emphasised that the military cannot seek to replicate the cover provided by the Fire Service. With that in mind, the government has been working with industry and other players to introduce a range of measures to mitigate the effects of a FBU strike.

Local Government Finance (Service Men)

Adrian Flook: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the guidelines to local authorities are for imposing council tax concerning servicemen with homes in the UK but who spend considerable amounts of time abroad on duty.

Christopher Leslie: When a local authority determines council tax liability, a member of the armed services who spends time abroad is treated in the same way as anyone else who spends time abroad. Section 6 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 sets out the basis of liability to pay council tax. A key factor in determining liability is whether the property is the person's sole or main residence. There is significant case law on this subject for local authorities and their legal advisors to call upon.

Police Authority Budgets

Ian Lucas: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on which occasions a police authority budget has been capped since 1984.

Nick Raynsford: I am only able to provide information on which English police authorities have their budgets capped. Since the creation of the National Assembly for Wales, local government finance has been a devolved matter and the responsibility of the Assembly. Prior to the creation of the National Assembly, capping in relation to authorities in Wales was the responsibility of the Secretary of State for Wales.
	Since 1984, the following English police authorities have had their budgets (or precepts) capped for the purpose of the limitation of council tax (and its predecessors):
	1986/87
	Greater Manchester Police Authority
	Merseyside Police Authority
	West Yorkshire Police Authority
	1988/89
	Greater Manchester Police Authority
	Northumbria Police Authority
	West Midlands Police Authority
	West Yorkshire Police Authority
	1995/96
	Lincolnshire Police Authority

West Midlands Regional Assembly

John Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the members of the West Midlands Regional Assembly; where they are from; what their function is; how they were chosen; how they can be dismissed; what they cost; and how they are paid for.

Nick Raynsford: The West Midlands Regional Assembly is a voluntary regional chamber designated under the Regional Development Act 1998. Its membership is a matter for the Assembly. The Government has awarded the Assembly #600,000 in 2002/03 to enhance its scrutiny role and strengthen regional accountability.

Schemes and Initiatives

Andrew Turner: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the schemes and initiatives sponsored by his Department and its agencies which are not the subject of national roll out, showing (a) the authorities or areas covered by the scheme and (b) the budget of the scheme in the last year for which information is available.

Christopher Leslie: The schemes and initiatives sponsored by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and its agencies which are not the subject of national roll out are shown in the table, together with the budget for 2002–03 and the areas covered.
	
		
			 Programme/areas Budget 2002–03 (# million) 
		
		
			 Coalfields 17.951 
			 Alnwick, Amber Valley, Ashfield, Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Blyth Valley, Bolsover, Broxtowe, Cannock Chase, Canterbury, Castle Morpeth, Chesterfield, Chester-le-Street, City of Durham, Derwentside, Doncaster, Dover, Easington, Erewash, Gedling, Hinckley & Bosworth, Kirklees, Leeds, Lichfield, Mansfield, Newark and Sherwood, Newcastle under Lyme, North East Derbyshire, North Warwick, North West Leicestershire, Nottingham, Nuneaton and Bedworth, Rotherham, Rushcliffe, St Helens, Sedgefield, Selby, South Derbyshire, South Staffordshire, South Tyneside, Sheffield, Staffordshire Moorlands, Sunderland, Stoke-on-Trent, Tamworth, Wakefield, Wansbeck, Wigan  
			   
			 European Regional Development Fund 175.431 
			 For Objective 1 and 2 areas see map at page 7 of the DTLR Introductory Guide to the European Regional Development Fund at http://www.urban.odpm.gov.uk/proqrammes/erdf/pdf/intro.pdf  
			   
			 Urban Regeneration Companies(2) — 
			 Bradford, Camborne, Corby, Hull, Leicester, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, Swindon, Tees Valley, Sunderland  
			   
			 Community Chest(3) 19 
			 Community Empowerment Fund(3) 12 
			 Neighbourhood Renewal Fund(3) 300 
			 Allerdale, Ashfield, Barking and Dagenham, Barnsley, Barrow-in-Furness, Birmingham, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool, Bolsover, Bolton, Bradford, Brent, Brighton & Hove, Bristol, Burnley, Camden, Coventry, Croydon, Derby, Derwentside, Doncaster, Dudley, Baling, Easington, Enfield, Gateshead, Great Yarmouth, Greenwich, Hackney, Halton, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Hartlepool, Hastings, Hyndburn, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Kerrier, Kingston upon Hull, Kirklees, Knowsley, Lambeth, Leeds, Leicester, Lewisham, Lincoln, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester, Mansfield, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, Newham, North Tyneside, Nottingham, Oldham, Pendle, Penwith, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Preston, Redcar and Cleveland, Rochdale, Rotherham, Salford, Sandwell, Sedgefield, Sefton, Sheffield, South Tyneside, Southampton, Southwark, St Helens, Stockton-on-Tees, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland, Tameside, Tower Hamlets, Wakefield, Walsall, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Wansbeck, Wear Valley, Westminster, Wigan, Wirral, Wolverhampton  
			   
			 Neighbourhood Management 11 
			 Ashfield, Barnsley, Basildon, Bolton, Bournemouth, Camden, Chester, Chesterfield, Derwentside, Easington, East Staffordshire, Gloucester, Greenwich, Hastings, Kirklees, Lancaster, Newcastle under Lyme, Rotherham, Stockton-on-Tees, Tameside  
			   
			 New Deal for Communities 170.95 
			 Birmingham(2) , Bradford, Brent, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Coventry, Derby, Doncaster, Hackney, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Hartlepool, Islington, Kingston upon Hull, Knowsley, Lambeth, Leicester, Lewisham, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Newcastle upon Tyne, Newham, Norwich, Nottingham, Oldham, Plymouth, Rochdale, Salford, Sandwell, Sheffield, Southampton, Southwark, Sunderland, Tower Hamlets, Walsall, Wolverhampton  
			   
			 Neighbourhood 4.5 
			 Allerdale, Barnsley, Birmingham, Bolton  
			   
			 Wardens  
			 Burnley, Coventry, Derby, Doncaster, Gateshead, Hackney, Hastings, Islington, Kerrier, Kingston upon Hull, Kirklees, Knowsley, Leeds, Lewisham, Liverpool, Manchester, Middlesborough, North Tyneside, Nottingham, Oldham, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Rotherham, Salford, Sedgefield, Sheffield, South Tyneside , Southwark, Stevenage, Stockton-on-Tees, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunderland, Tower Hamlets, Wakefield, Walsall, Wansbeck, Wigan, Wirral, Wolverhampton  
			   
			 Street Wardens 10 
			 Allerdale, Barking and Dagenham, Barnsley, Birmingham, Bolsover, Bradford, Bristol, Burnley, Camden, Coventry, Doncaster, Easington, Gateshead, Great Yarmouth, Greenwich, Hackney, Halton, Hammersmith and Fulham, Haringey, Hastings, Hyndburn, Islington, Kerrier, Kingston upon Hull, Kirklees, Leeds, Lewisham, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester, Mansfield, Middlesborough, Newcastle upon Tyne, Nottingham, Preston, Redcar & Cleveland, Rotherham, Salford, Sandwell, Sheffield, South Tyneside, Southwark, Stockton-on-Tees, Stoke-on- Trent, Sunderland, Tameside, Tower Hamlets, Walsall, Wandsworth, Wansbeck, Wear Valley, Westminster  
			   
			 Business Brokers 3.3 
			 Burnley, Easington, Hastings, London (Brent and Newham), Luton, Nottingham, Sheffield, Stoke on Trent, West Cornwall  
		
	
	(1) 2001–02 figure. #52 million has been made available under the scheme to the Coalfields Regeneration Trust for the period 2001–04.
	(2) URCs do not receive any central government funding. Running costs are met by the main partners(the local authority, the Regional Development Agency, English Partnerships (in some cases), the private sector and other key partners.
	(3) Community Chest, Community Empowerment Fund and Neighbourhood Renewal Fund are available to each of the 88 listed Neighbourhood Renewal areas.

Travellers

Michael Jack: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on local authority reactions to his recently published proposals to deal with travellers.

Tony McNulty: Since the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Home Office joint news release outlining the Government's proposals to tackle unauthorised Traveller camps was issued, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received an overall positive response from local authorities to the new approaches.
	Local authorities will continue to be kept informed on the progress of the forthcoming joint guidance, and will also be consulted on the findings of the recently published research on the provision and condition of local authority Gypsy/Traveller sites in England.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Arthur Andersen

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether Andersen Accountants were chosen as prospective advisers on the restructuring of BNFL prior to the company's role in the collapse of Enron becoming known.

Patricia Hewitt: Arthur Andersen were chosen in November 1999 as jointly appointed Reporting Accountant to the Department and BNFL in relation to the potential introduction of a public-private partnership for BNFL. This appointment ended in December 2001. Deloitte and Touche acted as accountancy adviser to the Department on BNFL from March 2000. Following a competitive tender the Department decided in July 2002 to reappoint Deloitte and Touche as its accountancy adviser on BNFL and the proposed Liabilities Management Authority. In August 2002 Deloitte and Touche completed its transaction with Andersen UK under which partners and staff of Andersen UK joined Deloitte and Touche.

Beryllium

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment was made of the likely end-use of Beryllium prior to export licences being granted for its export to Iran.

Nigel Griffiths: The Government attaches great importance to ensuring that UK exports are not misused, diverted or re-exported to undesirable end-uses, and this risk is among those identified in the consolidated EU and national aims export licensing criteria. The consolidated criteria set out factors to be considered by Member States in assessing the risk of diversion. The Government believes the best way of minimising the risk of diversion is a thorough risk assessment at the licensing stage and this process includes careful examination of information about the proposed end-use and end-user of the goods. After a detailed assessment of the individual circumstance—less than ½ ounce of the application it was judged that the proposed export of 10 grams of beryllium, to the University of Science and Technology in Tehran, did not give rise to concern about use in connection with weapons of mass destruction. In addition, after thorough scrutiny of the application, the Department and its advisors assessed the stated end use as legitimate.

Beryllium

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which protocols have been signed by the United Kingdom banning the sale of beryllium to named countries.

Nigel Griffiths: I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) on 15 October 2002, Official Report, column 678W.

British Energy

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the meetings Ministers and departmental officials have had with British Energy since 1 August; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the financial agreement concluded with British Energy in September.

Patricia Hewitt: My Department holds regular meetings with British Energy. Full details of the credit facility agreement are commercially confidential unless and until it is made public by British Energy.

British Energy

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people are employed by British Energy in the UK.

Patricia Hewitt: This is a matter for the company.

British Energy

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how long Project Blue related to British Energy has been under consideration in her Department.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 24 October 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 October 2002, Official Report, column 667W to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo).
	XBlue" is a word that my Department used in referring to British Energy. It is standard practice to use a code when dealing with sensitive matters to protect them from casual observers.

Business Link U

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost has been of establishing the Business Link U; and whether all Small Business Service and Business Link staff will be required to undertake training through this arrangement.

Stephen Timms: The cost of establishing the Business Link U (BLU) has been #1.42 million.
	BLU, the virtual 'corporate university' for business development professionals, aims to meet the key learning priorities of the network of Small Business Service (SBS), Business Link Operator (BLO) and delivery partners. It will identify, capture and share what works well across the network and bring in excellence from outside. All SBS and BLO staff are not required to undertake training through the BLU. However, as BLU becomes synonymous with high quality learning, we expect it to become the preferred choice across the network.

Departmental Job Vacancies

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many job vacancies there were at (a) administrative assistant or equivalent, (b) administrative officer or equivalent, (c) administrative executive officer, (d) higher executive officer, (e) senior executive officer, (f) grade 7 principal and (g) positions above grade 7 level in her Department for jobs located in (i) London and (i) the South East between 1 April 2001 and 31 March; and what is the total employment Civil Service grade.

Patricia Hewitt: The Department of Trade and Industry does not maintain detailed data on numbers of vacancies. The position fluctuates over the year with the majority of vacancies being filled by internal transfers. The following table for the year 1 April 2001 to 31 March shows the number of vacancies filled through external recruitment and the total employment in DTI for each Civil Service equivalent grade as at 31 March 2002. It is not possible to distinguish between posts located in London and the South East:
	
		
			  Vacancies filled Staff in Post 3 1.03. 02 
		
		
			
			 Administrative Assistant 41 202 
			 Administrative Officer 73 873 
			 Executive Officer 40 788 
			 Higher Executive Officer 25 860 
			 Senior Executive Officer 6 316 
			 Grades 7 and 6 15 685 
			 Senior Civil Service 7 165

Developing Countries

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 4 December 2001, Official Report, column 145W, on export credits, if she will list the 63 poorest developing countries referred to; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: ECGD support for the poorest developing countries is restricted to those projects that contribute to the social and economic development and do not harm the debt position of the destination country. The Xproductive expenditure" criteria apply to those countries only eligible for concessional loans from the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA-only countries). There are currently 65 such countries which are listed:
	Afghanistan
	Albania
	Angola
	Armenia
	Bangladesh
	Benin
	Bhutan
	Burkina Faso
	Burundi
	C.A.R.
	Cambodia
	Cameroon
	Cape Verde
	Chad
	Comoros
	Congo, Democratic Republic of
	Congo, Republic of
	Cote D'Ivoire
	Djibouti
	Eritrea
	Ethiopia
	Gambia
	Georgia
	Ghana
	Guinea
	Guinea-Bissau
	Guyana
	Haiti
	Honduras
	Kenya
	Kiribati
	Kyrgyz Republic
	Laos
	Lesotho
	Liberia
	Madagascar
	Malawi
	Maldives
	Mali
	Mauritania
	Moldova
	Mongolia
	Mozambique
	Myanmar
	Nepal
	Nicaragua
	Niger
	Rwanda
	Samoa
	Sao Tome and Principe
	Senegal
	Sierra Leone
	Solomon Islands
	Somalia
	Sri Lanka
	Sudan
	Tajikistan
	Tanzania
	Togo
	Tonga
	Uganda
	Vanuatu
	Vietnam
	Yemen, Republic of
	Zambia.

Ferry Workers

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  if British seamen on British-registered ferries employed through (a) Singapore and (b) Bermuda retain employment rights under British employment law;
	(2)  what measures are in place to ensure that British ferry companies enforce equal pay and conditions for all workers on their ships;
	(3)  what measures are in place to ensure that ferry workers on British-registered ferries are legally entitled to employment rights;
	(4)  what measures are in place to ensure that British ferry companies implement the European Working Time Directive.

Alan Johnson: Broadly speaking, the great majority of employment legislation applies to employees working on board ship, provided their ship is registered as belonging in a port in Great Britain, they do not work wholly outside Great Britain under their contract of employment and they are ordinarily resident in Great Britain. Where statutory minimum standards apply to terms and conditions of employment, employees can complain to the employment tribunals if they believe that those standards have not been met. There are some exceptions to the application of employment legislation to UK seafarers and I understand that the Department for Transport's Shipping Task Force is examining their position under the legislation.
	Turning to the Working Time Directive, sea transport is one of the sectors that were excluded from the original Directive as it is covered by other legislation. Non-mobile workers are covered by the Horizontal Amending Directive (2000/32/EC), which is due to be implemented by 1 August 2003. Seafarers are covered by Council Directive 1999/63/EC, implemented by the Merchant Shipping (Hours of Work) Regulations 2002 and Merchant Shipping (Medical Examination) Regulations 2002 and Council Directive 1999/95/EC, implemented by the Merchant Shipping (Hours of Work) Regulations 2002. These regulations came into force in September 2002 and are enforced by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency as part of its normal inspection and enforcement regime.

Ferry Workers

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are in place to ensure that British ferry companies pay their national insurance contributions for the workers on their ships.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	The Inland Revenue carry out a programme of inspections of employers' records to ensure that they are correctly operating both National Insurance Contributions and PAYE tax. UK shipping companies are included in that programme of visits. Particular attention is paid to the issue of liability to pay UK National Insurance Contributions. In addition checks are made on individual employees' details, when these are supplied at the year end, to ensure that National Insurance Contributions have been correctly calculated.

Insurance

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the cost to business of employers' and public liability insurance.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 21 October 2002
	My Department is aware of recent increases to the cost to business of employers' and public liability insurance, which are the consequence of a number of factors, most notably the tightening of global insurance markets since September 11 last year. Although this is a cause for concern, Government generally do not interfere in what is essentially a competitive market on the basis that the terms and conditions of insurance policies are best set by insurers themselves in the light of their customers' needs, taking a commercial assessment of the risk to determine premiums. Companies experiencing difficulties in obtaining insurance cover are advised to contact Peter Staddon at the British Insurance Brokers' Association on 020 7397 0204 for general advice and assistance in finding a suitable insurance broker.

Ministerial Appointments

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the appointments she has made since 8 June 2001.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 21 October 2002
	Ministerial appointments made to the public bodies for which my Department is responsible in the period since 8 June 2001 are listed in the table.
	
		
			 Public Body Number and Type of Appointments 
		
		
			 ACAS 3 Members 
			 Airports Advisory Council 1 Chair 
			 Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council 1 Chief Executive, 5 Members 
			 British Coal Corporation 1 Member 
			 British Shipbuilders 1 Chair, 2 Members 
			 Business Incubation Fund Investment Panel 1 Chair, 7 Members 
			 Central Arbitration Committee 2 Deputy Chairs, 16 Members 
			 Coal Authority 1 Chief Executive, 1 Member 
			 Competition Commission 23 Members 
			 Consignia 1 Chair 
			 Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils 1 Chair, 3 Members 
			 Distributed Generation Co-ordinating Group 14 Members 
			 East of England Regional Industrial Development Board 3 Members 
			 Economic and Social Research Council 5 Members 
			 Education and Training Export Group 1 Member 
			 Employment Appeals Tribunals 17 Members 
			 Employment Tribunals 1 Member 
			 Energy Advisory Panel 1 Chair, 4 Members 
			 Engineering and Physical Science Research Council 1 Chief Executive, 3 Members 
			 Ethnic Minority Business Forum 25 Members 
			 Fuel Poverty Advisory Group 1 Chair 
			 Gas and Electricity Markets Authority 1 Member 
			 Hearing Aid Council 3 Members 
			 Industrial Development Advisory Board 2 Members  
			 Intellectual Property Advisory Committee 1 Chair, 12 Members 
			 International Oil and Gas Business Advisory Board 4 Members 
			 London/South East Regional Industrial Development Board 5 Members 
			 Low Pay Commission 1 Chair, 1 Member 
			 Measurement Advisory Committee 1 Chair, 10 Members 
			 Medical Research Council 4 Members 
			 National Consumer Council 7 Members 
			 Natural Environment Research Council 8 Members 
			 North East Regional Industrial Development Board 2 Members 
			 OFCOM 1 Chair, 4 Members 
			 Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council 1 Chair, 3 Members 
			 Ports and Logistics Advisory Group 1 Chair 
			 Postwatch 2 Members 
			 Power Sector Working Group 1 Chair 
			 Regional Advisory Group 1 Chair, 15 Members 
			 Regional Development Agencies 4 Chairs, 39 Members 
			 Simpler Trade Procedures Board 5 Members 
			 Small Business Council 8 Members 
			 South West Regional Industrial Development Board 4 Members 
			 Spectrum Management Advisory Group 4 Members 
			 Trade Partners America Advisers 3 Members 
			 Trade Partners UK Europe Advisers 1 Member 
			 United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority 1 Chair, 3 Members 
			 Water Sector Group 2 Members 
			 Womens National Commission 1 Chair 
			 Yorkshire/Humber/East Midlands Regional Industrial Development Board 2 Members

Non-devolved Posts

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many non-devolved posts were advertised in the press in each year from June 1999; and what percentage were advertised in the Scottish press.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 24 October 2002
	The information requested is as follows:
	
		
			 Year Posts 
		
		
			 1999–2000 7  
			 2000–01 8  
			 2001–02 9  
		
	
	All these vacancies were advertised in the Scottish press.

NPower

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has received about improper transfer of energy accounts by npower; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: I have received a number of representations about the erroneous transfer of gas and electricity supply by energy companies. Such transfers may arise from administrative or data problems or from sales malpractice. In January 2001, the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets (OFGEM), which regulates the sales activities of energy suppliers, imposed undertakings on npower following a rise in marketing complaints. These undertakings were lifted in April 2002 after npower met objectives agreed with OFGEM. OFGEM continues to monitor npower and other suppliers, and can investigate any company that appears to have breached the terms of its supply licence.

Passport to Export Scheme

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  how the Passport to Export scheme is promoted;
	(2)  how many businesses took up the Passport to Export scheme in (a) financial year 2000–01 and (b) financial year 2001–02;
	(3)  what was (a) the budget and (b) the expenditure for the Passport to Export scheme in (i) financial year 2000–01 and (ii) financial year 2001–02.

Patricia Hewitt: 'Your passport to export success' is a national Trade Partners UK programme, delivered regionally, to develop small businesses in international trade. Promotion is done regionally. There has been no national campaign, but the press has picked up success stories.
	The programme is delivered through Business Links. Passport customers receive:
	an assessment of their company's readiness for export;
	the help of a locally based expert in international trade, who works with them on a one-to-one basis to develop their export plan;
	subsidised training on specific skills gaps identified by the plan;
	a visit to an overseas market identified in the plan; and
	aftercare services to help them continue to grow their business using international trade.
	To date 1,137 companies are taking part in the programme, 734 of which have been recruited in this financial year. Of these, 37 are located in Surrey. There is a mix of promotional activity tailored to the needs of each region's business community. In Surrey, for example, this has included a promotional event reinforced by articles in local media and publicity from partner organisations such as Chambers of Commerce.
	Passport did not operate in financial year 2000–01, and there was no programme budget. In financial year 2001–02, 403 businesses joined the programme from its inception in autumn 2001.
	In financial year 2001–02, expenditure was #2,099 million against a budget of #3,104.million.

Regional Development Agencies

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the members of each regional development agency, stating for each member the (a) date of, (b) length of, their appointment and (c) their qualifications for the job.

Patricia Hewitt: pursuant to her reply, 21 October 2002, Official Report, c. 71–72W
	It has come to my attention that there were errors in the expiry dates of the appointments of some of the board members of the south west of England Regional Development Agency (SW RDA) and Yorkshire Forward (YF).
	The amended appointment dates for current SW RDA and YF board members are detailed in the following table:
	
		
			   Date of first appointment Date of re-appointment Expiry date of appointment 
		
		
			  South West of England Regional Development Agency 
			 Lickiss Michael 14/12/98 14/12/01 13/12/02 
			 Ansari Doris 14/12/98 14/12/01 13/12/03 
			 Buckland Nicholas 14/12/01  13/12/04 
			 Chalke Peter 14/12/98 14/12/01 13/12/02 
			 Costley Nigel 14/12/98 14/12/01 13/12/04 
			 Holland Helen 14/12/98 14/12/01 13/1.2/03 
			 Kemp Brian 14/12/01  13/12/04 
			 Leece Michael 14/12/98 14/12/01 13/12/04 
			 Morris Alfred 14/12/98 14/12/01 13/12/02 
			 Nicholl Robin 14/12/01  13/12/04 
			 Pope Jeremy 14/12/98 14/12/01 13/12/04 
			 Porritt Jonathon 14/12/99 14/12/02 13/12/05 
			 Skellett Colin 14/12/01  13/12/04 
			  Yorkshire Forward 
			 Hall Graham 14/12/98 14/12/01 13/12/03 
			 Ashcroft John 15/12/99  14/12/05 
			 Barker Muriel 14/12/98 14/12/01 13/12/03 
			 Bosomworth Eileen 14/12/01  13/12/04 
			 Coburn Jeanne 17/10/00  16/10/03 
			 Cummins Julian 14/12/98 14/12/01 13/12/02 
			 Greenwood Brian 14/12/98 14/12/01 13/12/03 
			 Gregory Richard 14/12/98 14/12/01 13/12/04 
			 Haskins Christopher 14/12/98 14/12/01 13/12/04 
			 Hougton Stephen 14/12/98 14/12/01 13/12/04 
			 Jagger Paul 14/12/98 14/12/01 13/12/03 
			 King Christopher 14/12/01  13/12/04 
			 Malik Adeeba 14/12/98 14/12/01 13/12/04 
			 Pinnock Kathryn 14/12/01  13/12/04 
			 Warhurst Pamela 14/12/98 14/12/01 13/12/02

Rural Post Offices

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the timetable is to be announced for the programme of financial support for rural post offices.

Stephen Timms: We have received advice from the Postal Services Commission on proposals for supporting the rural network from 2003 and details of substantial financial support will be announced shortly.

Rural Post Offices

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Government have to provide assistance to the Post Office Rural Network; and if she will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The Government are committed to the maintenance of a nationwide network of post offices and placed a formal requirement on the Post Office in November 2000 to maintain the network and to prevent any avoidable closures of rural post offices.
	The Government have already invested in modernisation comprising some #480 million to computerise the whole post office network. We have made available a #2 million fund to support volunteer and community initiatives to maintain or reopen post office facilities in rural areas where traditional services would otherwise close. Figures for end September 2002, showed that 168 applications—to a value of #825,000—had been assessed and approved and to that date payments of #529,000 have also been made.
	We have received advice from the Postal Services Commission on proposals for supporting the rural network from 2003 and details of substantial financial support will be announced shortly.

Small Business Council

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what new powers, responsibilities and resources the Small Business Council has been given in their recently extended remit to lessen the impact of regulations on small businesses.

Nigel Griffiths: William Sargent's role, as Chairman of the Small Business Council, has been enhanced to provide an Xindependent voice for small firms". He attends the Ministerial Panel on regulatory accountability and has access to my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister to discuss small firms matters. The resources available to the Small Business Council have increased allowing for 12 officials to support the council in its work to provide advice about the needs of small businesses.

Smart South West

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much of the annual budget of Smart South West is publicly funded; how many officials are employed; and if she will make a statement as to the nature and purpose of their work.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 22 October 2002
	The public funding known by the RDA is:
	#60k from SWRDA to fund for a year the IT Sector Adviser within Smart South West, which finished this summer but is currently continuing on a three monthly basis until the post holder leaves.
	#56k from the DTI to manage the SWRDA led XOutreach" project under the Broadband Fund.

Sub Post Offices

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions she has had with Consignia on a definition for different types of sub post office.

Stephen Timms: It is the responsibility of Post Office Ltd. to classify post office outlets. According to Post Office Ltd.'s classification a rural post office is one defined as serving a community which has up to 10,000 inhabitants.

Trade Partners UK

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the annual budget is for Trade Partners UK for the financial year (a) 2001–02, (b) 2002–03 and (c) 2003–04.

Patricia Hewitt: Trade Partners UK is the trade development arm of British Trade International, which is a joint operation of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department of Trade and Industry.
	Trade Partners UK programme budget for the three years is as follows:
	
		
			  # million 
		
		
			 2001–02 outturn 59.0 
			 2002–03 estimated outturn 71.9 
			 2003–04 plans 76.4 
		
	
	The administration costs relating to this expenditure are borne by the DTI and FCO.

WALES

Departmental Job Vacancies

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many job vacancies there were at (a) administrative assistant or equivalent, (b) administrative officer or equivalent, (c) administrative executive officer, (d) higher executive officer, (e) senior executive officer, (f) grade 7 principal and (g) all positions above grade 7 level in his Department for jobs located in (i) London and (ii) the south-east between 1 April 2001 and 31 March; and what is the total employment for each civil service grade.

Peter Hain: I will reply to my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Firefighters' Strike

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what preparations he has made to ensure the safety and continuity of service to the public in the event of a firefighters' strike; and what the cost is to the Department of these actions.

Peter Hain: The Government have arranged for armed service personnel to provide basic emergency fire cover during any strikes by firefighters.
	The additional cost of this cover in England and Wales will be met by ODPM.

Departmental Websites

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will list the website links associated with his Department, including sites now dormant or closed, and indicating whether they are live, dormant or closed; what the start up costs were for each site listed; what the operating costs were in each year since start up for each site; which company hosted each site; what assessment takes place for each site; which company does the assessment; if he will place the assessment reports in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office has one live bilingual website (www.walesoffice.gov.uk/www.swyddfa.cymru.gov.uk).
	The total operating cost, including the start up cost which cannot be separately identified, of the Wales Office website between 1 April 1998 and 1 July 1999 was #7,867.
	The Wales Office was not charged for the running of its website between 1 July 1999 and 1 September 2000.
	The operating cost of running the website, including the development of bilingual content, between 1 September 2000 and 31 August 2001 was #5,699.
	The Wales Office has not been invoiced to date for the operating cost between 1 September 2001 and 31 August 200, but it is understood the sum will be around #1,600.
	The Wales Office website is hosted by Eduserv. Eduserv provide a rolling statistical assessment on the site which may be viewed at http://www.ossw.wales.gov.uk/statistics/ for the English site and http://www.swvddfa.cvmru.gov.uk/statistics/ for Wales.

CABINET OFFICE

UK Online Interactive

Bill Tynan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has to expand UK Online Interactive; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: My officials are working closely with other Government Departments and local authorities to significantly increase the content available through UK online interactive.

UK Online Interactive

Bill Tynan: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the cost of Phase One of the UK Online interactive project has been; and how this relates to planned costs.

Douglas Alexander: The cost for the UK online interactive project for the period up to the end of September 2002 has been approximately #300,000. This is in line with the projected costs.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Bangladesh

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the law and order situation in Bangladesh.

Mike O'Brien: We have some concerns about the poor state of law and order in Bangladesh. We had hoped therefore that the countermeasures the Government are taking would have a lasting remedial effect. But we are concerned by reports of mistreatment of detainees, including deaths in custody. We are following closely the arrests of senior opposition politicians on 17 October. Our high commission are raising our concerns with the Bangladesh Government. We look for the due process of law to be followed in all cases, and for the action of security forces and the treatment of detainees to be in accordance with internationally agreed standards.

Camp X-Ray

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what statements made by UK citizens in Camp X-ray have been communicated to him; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: I refer my hon. Friend to the statement given to the House on 21 January 2002, Official Report, columns 623–24, and the written answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Anniesland (John Robertson) by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Bradshaw). And to the written answer given by me on 13 June 2002, Official Report, columns 1397–98W, to my hon. Friend the Member for City of Chester (Ms Russell).
	I am unable to give further details of the detainees' statements. They contain personal and confidential information the disclosure of which is exempt under the code of Practice on Access to Government Information Parts 4 and 12. I understand the information is also subject to the Data Protection Act.

Departmental Job Vacancies

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many job vacancies there were at (a) administrative assistant or equivalent, (b) administrative officer or equivalent, (c) administrative executive officer, (d) higher executive officer, (e) senior executive officer, (f) grade 7 principal and (g) all positions above grade 7 level in his Department for jobs located in (i) London and (ii) the South-East between 1 April 2001 and 31 March; and what is the total employment for each civil service grade.

Mike O'Brien: The number of job vacancies and the total employment for each civil service grade in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is as follows:
	
		
			 Responsibility level Vacancies Total staff 
		
		
			 Grades 6 and above 2 587 
			 Grade 7 23 596 
			 Senior executive officer 3 485 
			 Higher executive officer 52 1,159 
			 Executive officer 77 1,266 
			 Administrative officer 93 1,037 
			 Administrative assistant 216 360 
			 Other 65 — 
			 Total non-industrial staff 531 5,490 
		
	
	The figure given for total staff is as at April 2001. We are unable to separate the data into regions for this time period without incurring disproportionate costs. The vacancy figures are for the time period of 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002.
	The above figures include FCO Services.

Departmental Websites

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the website links associated with his Department, including sites now dormant or closed, and indicating whether they are live, dormant or closed; what the start up costs were for each site listed; what the operating costs were in each year since start up for each site; which company hosted each site; what assessment takes place for each site; which company does the assessment; if he will place the assessment reports in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: The FCO has recently implemented a major web infrastructure project to enhance our global web presence. This has been achieved using funds from the Treasury Capital Modernisation Fund for e-Government initiatives. The objectives of the project are: to promote the UK more effectively to an overseas audience; to save running costs for UK missions' websites; to avoid duplication of effort; to provide a more customer-focused approach and improve service delivery of visas, passports and consular services; to join up on-line information offered by our public diplomacy partners (British Council, Trade Partners UK, Invest UK, British Tourist Authority and BBC World Service).
	In January 2001 Logica plc won a competitive tender to provide a new web platform for hosting and running UK missions' websites world-wide and allowing future electronic submission of passports and visa applications. The following are on the platform already:
	www.fco.gov.uk Main FCO site
	www.ukvisas.gov.uk Joint FCO-Home Office site for visas
	www.i-uk.com 'Britain Abroad' portal site (to launch 28 October 2002)
	In addition over 100 UK missions world-wide currently run their own websites. These are linked from the FCO main site.
	The total cost of developing and implementing the infrastructure and the first year of support has cost 6.6 million. We estimate substantial future staff and business efficiency savings from this new infrastructure. The web platform is hosted in-house and uses our global telephony network. Operating costs for e-Media Unit in the FCO are 269,000 pa, excluding staff.
	The above sites were built following extensive market research and consumer surveys. A 'balanced scorecard' approach is taken to site assessment and benefits measurement. A company called 'Flow Interactive' has recently undertaken usability testing of the FCO main site with members of the public.

EU-SADC Meeting

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  whether representatives of his Department will attend the meeting on 7 and 8 November between Foreign Ministers of the European Union and the Southern African Development Community in Maputo, Mozambique; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions his Department has had with the Government of Denmark concerning the decision to move the meeting on 7 to 8 November between Foreign Ministers of the European Union and the Southern African Development Community from Copenhagen to Maputo, Mozambique; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  when his Department was informed of the decision to move the meeting on 7 and 8 November between Foreign Ministers of the European Union and the Southern African Development Community from Copenhagen to Maputo, Mozambique; whether his Department was consulted; what his assessment of the situation was; what advice he gave to other European Union countries concerning the decision; whether he agreed to the relocation; and if he will make a statement;
	(4)  what discussions his Department has had with representatives of the countries of the Southern African Development Community concerning the attendance of Zimbabwean officials at the meeting of Foreign Ministers of the European Union and the Southern African Development Community (a) when it was scheduled to take place in Copenhagen and (b) since it was moved to Maputo, Mozambique; and if he will make a statement;
	(5)  what his Department's policy is on the attendance of representatives of the Zimbabwean Government, targeted under the European Union's travel ban, at the meeting on 7 to 8 November between Foreign Ministers of the European Union and the Southern African Development Community in Maputo, Mozambique; what his policy was on their attendance at the meeting when scheduled for Copenhagen; whether other international meetings have been relocated during 2002 to enable members of the Zimbabwean Government to attend; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: The biennial EU-SADC ministerial meeting was originally scheduled to take place in Copenhagen on 7 to 8 November. In recent months, EU partners have regularly discussed the timing and location of this meeting in order to ensure there it remains coherent with wider EU policy, including targeted sanctions against named individuals in the ZANU (PF) regime.
	The EU presidency—on behalf of the EU—expressed EU concerns in a series of meetings with Governments in the SADC region in August. In September, recognising that a meeting could no longer go ahead in Copenhagen as originally planned, Mozambique offered to host the meeting in Maputo on behalf of SADC. The EU decided on 17 October to accept the offer. The UK fully supported this decision.
	The EU's relationship with SADC is important and wide-ranging. The Government have always made clear that a meeting should take place, but that the integrity of the EU's targeted sanctions on named Zimbabweans should be maintained. The Government will use the meeting to engage SADC countries on a range of issues. As a member of SADC, Zimbabwe is likely to attend the meeting. There are no plans for British Ministers to meet their Zimbabwean counterparts at Maputo. We are not aware of other international meetings having been relocated in 2002.

Palestine

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Palestinian authorities, with specific reference to Jenin.

Mike O'Brien: We regularly discuss the situation in Palestinian towns, including Jenin, with the Palestinian authority. We have repeatedly raised our concerns with the Israeli Government about the need to lift curfews and closures and to allow access to humanitarian organisations. At the time of Israel's Shield we made clear at highest levels our concerns over Israeli action in Jenin and across the West Bank and Gaza.

Job Advertisements

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many posts were advertised in the press in each year since June 1999; and what percentage of them were advertised in the Scottish press.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 24 October 2002
	Since March 2000, all Diplomatic Service Generalist jobs, at all grades are advertised in The Scotsman and The Herald. Prior to this, we did not advertise in the Scottish, Welsh or Northern Irish press.

Malagasy Republic

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in the Malagasy Republic.

Jack Straw: On 24 September, Marc Ravalomanana, the President of Madagascar, announced that he would be dissolving the National Assembly and holding legislative elections before the end of the year. He sought international assistance to ensure that the elections would be held in a free and transparent manner.
	UK election observers will form part of a 62 strong EU Election Observer team that will monitor the legislative elections. A contingent of 14 observers will arrive four weeks in advance of the elections to monitor the campaign, the investitures and official registration of candidates. The remainder of the team will arrive a week before the election date.
	Our embassy, along with EU colleagues, the US and major donors in Madagascar, will continue to work constructively with the Government of Madagascar to promote democratic governance and transparency.

Travel Warnings

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the numbers of hits on the section of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website dealing with travel warnings in relation to the numbers of British citizens visiting countries about which travel warnings have been issued.

Mike O'Brien: The travel area of the FCO website (www.fco.gov.uk/travel) receives an average of 675,000 page impressions per month. We are not able to ascertain separate figures for page impressions for individual country advice notices. Nor are we able to determine how many of these inquiries are from British nationals. So we are unable to make such an assessment.

Vietnam

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Government of Vietnam regarding the persecution of Christians in that country.

Mike O'Brien: We condemn all instances of persecution of individuals for their faith or belief. The UK Government take every opportunity to press the Vietnamese government to adhere to its international human rights obligations: I raised human rights, including the position of ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands, with the Vietnamese Foreign Minister Mr. Nien in June. Our Embassy in Hanoi is a leading player in the EU Human Rights Working Group which has a regular human rights dialogue with the Vietnamese Government. Religious freedom is raised in this forum, for example at its most recent meeting on 16 October.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Zimbabwe

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the (a) political manipulation of food aid and (b) selective starvation being carried out in Zimbabwe by its Government.

Clare Short: It is a fundamental principle of the international and bilateral agencies working in Zimbabwe and elsewhere that food aid is targeted on the basis of need alone, and is not politically determined. The World Food Programme is working through non-governmental organisations under an agreement with the Government of Zimbabwe that enshrines this principle. Our bilateral feeding Programmes also work through NGOs on the same criteria, and within NGOs' established operational agreements with the Government of Zimbabwe. DFID and other donors are closely monitoring events on the ground to ensure that principles and agreements are honoured, and where problems are found or reported, that these are resolved through transparent complaints procedures.
	Food assistance through the Government of Zimbabwe does not operate to similar levels of openness and transparency. I share the concern that there appears to be selective distribution. Whilst I am very concerned about malnutrition and hunger, it is premature to suggest there is starvation. But I have joined the UN in urging donor countries to help reduce the food gap in Zimbabwe to avoid crisis which remains all too possible.

Zimbabwe

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of (a) the obstruction of food aid and (b) human rights abuses committed by the Zimbabwe Government against the Zimbabwean people; and what her Department's strategy is for dealing with the obstruction of food aid by President Mugabe.

Clare Short: There has been no systematic obstruction of food aid provided by the UN agencies and international donors in Zimbabwe. There have been particular problems in one or two areas and for particular organisations apparently attributable solely to bias on the part of the authorities or local activists. There is on-going negotiation in country on problems for two UK NGOs. Where problems have arisen, aid has been suspended until the organisations concerned have been satisfied that unfettered distribution can resume. At present the major constraints to food aid are the need to scale up the capacity of all the implementation organisations, and to get full funding of the UN appeal.
	This House is well aware of Government's concern about the on-going abuse of human rights in Zimbabwe. We deplore the continuing record of oppression and human rights abuse to suppress legitimate opposition and criticism of its disastrous policies.

Zimbabwe

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much money her Department has given to the UN World Food Programme in Zimbabwe.

Clare Short: DFID has provided a total of #10.5 million for WFP feeding programmes in Zimbabwe, and #45,000 to strengthen food logistics management in country.

Zimbabwe

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the banning of Oxfam and Save the Children from distributing the World Food Programme food by the Zimbabwean Government; and what discussions her Department has had with (a) Oxfam and (b) Save the Children following the ban.

Clare Short: Applications by Save the Children and Oxfam to act as implementing partners for the WFP feeding programme have not yet been approved by the Ministry of Social Welfare in Zimbabwe. The UN takes the view, as do I, that these highly respected and experienced organisations could make an important contribution to the feeding effort. Discussion continues between the UN, the NGOs and the Zimbabwe authorities. DFID has been fully consulted, and maintains an on-going dialogue on operational concerns for these and other UK based NGOs in Zimbabwe.

Intellectual Property Rights

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the report of the Commission on Intellectual Property Rights.

Clare Short: The report of the Commission on Intellectual Property Rights XIntegrating Intellectual Property Rights and Development Policy" was published on 12 September this year. I attended a launch event in Geneva on 16 September, along with Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, Director General of the World Trade Organisation, and Dr. Kamil Idris, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation. The report has been widely commended as an important contribution to the debate on how intellectual property rules and practices can work better for developing countries, and contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
	The Government established the commission as part of its wider effort to ensure global rules and institutions serve all countries equitably and take full account of the needs of developing countries. The commissioners, two of whom were from developing countries, brought a wide range of expertise to bear in science, law and economics. They included representatives from Government, the legal profession, academia and industry. The report is available in the Libraries of the House and on the commission's website www.iprcommission.org.
	The Government are grateful to the commission for its report. We welcome it as a very useful and constructive contribution to the debate on these important issues. We will encourage the widest possible debate on its proposals and will make it available in all relevant fora. Although commissioned by the British Government, the recommendations of the commission are directed at policymakers in all Governments, at the national and international institutions involved in intellectual property policy, and other important stakeholders such as industry and NGOs. The Government hope serious consideration will be given by these bodies to the recommendations of the report.
	There is much detail in the report which requires careful consideration. The Government are currently considering its own response to the detailed recommendations of the commission and hopes to publish this early next year.

Intellectual Property Rights

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action the Government are planning to implement the recommendations in the report of the Commission on Intellectual Property Rights.

Clare Short: The Government are currently considering the detailed recommendations of the report of the Commission on Intellectual Property Rights. We have welcomed the report as an important contribution to the debate on how intellectual property rules and practices can work better for developing countries, and contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.
	It is planned that the Government's response to the report will be published early next year. That response will set out how they plan to address the Commission's recommendations and to pursue their implementation. It should be noted that most of the report's recommendations are directed to all governments and institutions involved with intellectual property. The Government hope these other bodies will also consider carefully the report's recommendations.

Malawi

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on (a) her Department's support for clinical services and (b) levels of maternal mortality in Malawi.

Clare Short: My Department's support to the National Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme (SRHP) and Communicable Diseases control programme contribute to improved clinical services in Malawi.
	Under the SRHP DFID provides for:
	increased access to, and utilisation of, cost effective STI treatment and prevention down to the health centre level;
	essential laboratory services including laboratory test reagents, kits and associated training for HIV/AIDS and STI support work;
	upgrading of clinical facilities, including laboratories, maternity wards, delivery rooms and operating theatres;
	provision of drugs and equipment that support emergency obstetric care;
	life saving skills training, advanced midwifery training, and overall administrative, clinical and technical skills strengthening.
	The communicable disease component of DFID's work supports the National Tuberculosis Control Programme, by providing:
	ambulatory treatment (Directly Observed Treatment)
	new standardised, and more effective regimes of treatment
	decentralised laboratory diagnosis.
	In the longer term, joint donor support to the Ministry of Health, through a sector-wide approach, will address all levels of clinical service provision.
	Maternal mortality in Malawi is increasing. The 2000 Malawi Demographic and Health Survey indicates a doubling in the figure to 1,120 deaths per 100,000 live births. The reasons are complex, and the cause of death is not always clear. However the increase can in part be attributed to the declining health system, the methodological means of measuring mortality where HIV/AIDS is increasing rapidly, and the current food crisis (where health is compromised by other factors such as increasing poverty, suppressed immune systems and poor nutritional status).

Malawi

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's approach to healthcare in Malawi.

Clare Short: DFID supports the Government of Malawi's efforts to provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health, communicable disease control, and health systems development. Sexual and reproductive health assistance is increasing access to reproductive, maternal and sexual health services, and fostering adoption of safer sex practices especially among the poor, young people and marginalised groups. It will also have a positive effect in countering the rate of increase of HIV/AIDS. The communicable disease control elements support strategies to combat the spread of tuberculosis, to improve immunisation coverage of childhood diseases, and to increase treatment and prevention of malaria. Systems development activities will strengthen the government's Central Medical Stores and drug supply chain, develop a cost effective essential medical laboratory service, and develop an Essential Health Package.
	In the longer term, DFID and other donor partners are supporting the Malawian Government's objective of working towards a sector-wide approach for delivery of health assistance. The SWAp is currently under design will support nationally defined health policies and strategies to improve the health status of all Malawians.

Malawi

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how her Department's budget for improving health care in Malawi is spent.

Clare Short: My Department's health programme in Malawi is focused in three main areas: sexual and reproductive health, communicable disease control, and health systems development. This represents a total commitment of #100 million between 1997–2008.

Health Care Systems

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of sector-wide approaches in improving the health care systems of poor countries.

Clare Short: Health sector-wide approaches (SWAPs) enable better priority setting in the context of locally-owned strategies for improving health outcomes for the poorest. They facilitate joined up working between development partners, Governments and other stakeholders, and eliminate duplication and ineffective donor activity. Assessments of health SWAPs have been undertaken by inter alia the Overseas Development Institute. These show that SWAPs are more than a change in the form which development assistance takes. They are responsible for increased Government ownership and commitment to delivering accessible health care to the poorest through strengthened health systems.
	In most cases it is still too early to assess the long term impact of SWAPs on health outcomes for the poor. However, there are many early positive outcomes. In Uganda and Tanzania the SWAP has helped better identify the health needs of the poorest. In Uganda, Mozambique and Ghana, more people are using health services. But SWAPs are a partnership: they will only deliver real pro-poor benefits with the continued political will and investment of both donors and developing country partners.

Angola

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions her Department has had with the Government of Angola about the humanitarian situation.

Clare Short: I discussed the humanitarian situation with the Government of Angola during my visit to Angola in April 2002. We discussed the need to follow up the peace agreement with urgent measures to assist all displaced people within the country, and to help them return to their homes as rapidly as possible.
	Our embassy in Luanda is pressing the Angolan Government on a regular basis to do more to address the dire humanitarian situation and commit more of their own resources to meet humanitarian needs in an open and transparent fashion.
	We are deepening our relationships on this issue with the Government of Angola through increased ministerial contact, and through dialogue at all levels.

Angola

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what impact she estimates landmines within farmland have had on food production in Angola.

Clare Short: The presence of land mines in Angola has understandably led Angolans to believe that they cannot move around their country in safety. This affects all aspects of rural life, and has meant that much farmland remains unused. Given that the season for planting seeds is now coming to an end, this is likely to have a significant impact on food production in Angola. As a result, demining of residential areas targeted for returnee communities, and their agricultural land, is the main priority for the clearance agencies after roads and bridges.

Angola

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the progress being made towards the rebuilding of Angola's transport infrastructure.

Clare Short: Along with almost all other elements of the national infrastructure, the network of roads, bridges and railways has been severely damaged by the civil war. The Angolan Government has made rehabilitating the transport infrastructure a top priority, and some progress is now being made with vehicles able to reach the interior of the country, bringing goods and people. Arguably, however, rebuilding the physical infrastructure is only one of the key tasks which confronts the Government of Angola. They also urgently need to re-focus government spending on the social sector, in particular health and education, and to improve the macro-economic management of the country.

Angola

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what correspondence she has had with civil society in Angola to ensure the adherence to human rights within the country.

Clare Short: The UK Government maintain a constant dialogue with Angolan civil society through our embassy in Luanda. I also met with a number of civil society organisations during my visit to Angola in April this year. The Government have supported a number of projects with civil society—both directly, through the bilateral aid programme and through the UN and the EU—designed to empower Angolans to engage with their government for themselves. We are also working closely with the Human Rights Division of the UN.

Angola

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she has made of the levels of spending by the Government of Angola on basic social services since the end of the civil war; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: It is too early to assess the levels of spending on basic social services since the end of the civil war. What we do know at this stage is that a revised budget for the second half of 2002 (approved by the National Assembly) has increased commitments tospending on social services. In addition, the United Nations, in partnership with the Angolan Government, have recently completed an assessment of public financing of social sectors in Angola. The objective of the study was to make practical recommendations regarding the distribution of resources and budget management mechanisms. We will encourage the Angolan Government to take these forward and ensure effective social service delivery.

Angola

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made towards the reintegration of Angolan refugees returning to their country of origin from neighbouring countries.

Clare Short: UNHCR estimates that there are around 440,000 Angolan refugees in Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Namibia. UNHCR are co-ordinating the return and resettlement of these refugees. However plans are at an early stage, and although some refugees have chosen to return to Angola under their own steam, UNHCR do not expect to begin their return programme until 2003. The reintegration of refugees will take place against the backdrop of the widescale return of internally displaced people (IDPs) and former fighters anticipated by the Government. In reintegrating all three groups, it will be vital to ensure that adequate services reach the resettlement areas. We expect the Government of Angola to take the lead in this, and are pressing them to ensure that all resettlement is carried out in line with the Norms for Return and Re-settlement which are now part of Angolan law, and are based on the guiding principles drawn up by Francis Deng, the UN Special Rapporteur.

Angola

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what evidence has been collated by the Government relating to whether the Norms for the Resettlement of Displaced Populations in Angola are being effectively followed; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: We very much welcome the incorporation into Angolan law of the Norms for the Resettlement of Displaced Populations. However we remain concerned by allegations that a significant proportion of recent resettlements have not been carried out in line with these Norms. We will continue to press both the Government and the international community to help ensure these Norms are applied in future resettlement programmes.

Angola

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, how many unexploded landmines are estimated to remain in Angola.

Clare Short: My Department's Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department (CHAD) carried out an assessment mission to Angola in July to determine the extent of the humanitarian crisis there. They found that according to mine-clearance agencies, the number of mines in Angola is now considerably lower than the previously estimated 13 million. Earlier this month, the national co-ordinator of Angola's Inter-sectoral Commission for Demining and Humanitarian Assistance (CNIDAH) estimated that Angola has about 4–5 million unexploded landmines.

Angola

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department has provided to (a) the Government of Angola and (b) NGOs for the clearance of landmines in Angola.

Clare Short: My Department has allocated US$ 459,000 to UNDP for a project aimed at improving the effectiveness of mine action through strengthened coordination and planning at the provincial level. This project is included in the revised 2002 UN Consolidated Appeal (CAP) for Angola. We will also be contributing 19.7 per cent. of the 6 million euro which the EC has recently made available for mine action in Angola. This includes 5 million euro for a variety of mine-clearance agencies. We have provided no direct assistance to the Government of Angola for the clearance of land mines.

Angola

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment she had made of the success of efforts to provide agricultural assistance in Angola before September.

Clare Short: Angola is a very fertile country, and its agricultural potential is significant. Many of the internally displaced people (IDPs) and ex-combatants around the country have begun to plant, using seeds and tools provided by the international community. If this agricultural development is to be a success, Angolans will need timely provision of seeds and tools, and access to food and shelter (as well as a civil administration, schools and medical services and a functioning local judicial system) during the growing period. They will then need access to markets to exchange their surplus agricultural products for goods and services which they cannot themselves provide. A holistic approach is therefore essential.

Angola

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions her Department has had with colleagues in (a) the UNHCR and (b) other parts of the United Nations about the humanitarian situation in Angola.

Clare Short: The British embassy in Luanda and officials in DFID maintain regular contact with the UN Humanitarian Co-ordinator, who in turn co-ordinates the work of the UN agencies and NGO humanitarian agencies. UNHCR are preparing to implement a programme of return for Angolan refugees in 2003. Meanwhile, the focus of the humanitarian community is on the immediate needs of the internally displaced people (IDPs) and the former UNITA fighters in quartering areas.

Angola

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department's strategy is for providing humanitarian relief to the people of Angola.

Clare Short: My Department's strategy for humanitarian relief is to fund a small number of significant interventions by well-established international agencies as part of multi-donor efforts to help address the greatest needs. For example, this year we have contributed #1.7 million to the United Nations and some #2 million to the International Committee for the Red Cross and Medecins Sans Frontieres.
	In addition to providing a UK response, we remind the Angolan Government at every opportunity that it must take responsibility for the humanitarian needs of its own population.

Angola

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment her Department has made of the land mine problem in Angola.

Clare Short: My Department's Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department (CHAD) carried out an assessment mission to Angola in July to determine the extent of the humanitarian crisis there. They found that according to mine-clearing agencies, the number of mines in Angola is now considerably lower than the previously estimated 13 million. Nevertheless the presence of mines remains one of the biggest restrictions to humanitarian aid delivery and is a serious security threat. The mines are widely dispersed and the exact location of the minefields is not properly mapped or recorded. Roads and bridges are heavily mined and are a major priority for the clearance agencies, followed by residential areas targeted for returnee communities, and their agricultural land.

Angola

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department's strategy is for a demining programme in Angola.

Clare Short: My Department is fully aware of the threat posed by landmines to the delivery of humanitarian assistance and to personal security. In July my Department's Conflict and Humanitarian Affairs Department (CHAD) carried out an assessment mission to Angola to determine the extent of the humanitarian crisis there. With respect to demining, they concluded that we should focus our attention on strengthening the role of the UN in co-ordinating mine clearance activities and in mapping unexploded mines. To this end, we have recently allocated US$ 459,000 to UNDP for a project aimed at improving the effectiveness of mine action through strengthened coordination and planning at the provincial level.

Angola

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on the money that the IMF has found missing from Angolan Government finances;
	(2)  what assessment her Department has made of the investigation by the IMF into money missing from Angolan Government finances.

Clare Short: Unaccounted funds are related to the lack of transparency in oil sector flows and weak public finance management. During the past five years, extra-budgetary expenditures have averaged 11 per cent. of GDP per year, and residual unexplained discrepancies in the fiscal accounts have averaged 12 per cent. of GDP per year (approximately $1 billion). Budget execution data have yielded a large share of expenditures as unclassified; substantial funds received as signature bonuses for oil contracts and oil royalties have been outside the control of the Treasury; oil companies have given money to funds and foundations with little independent oversight; and non-transparent external debt transactions have been made. My Department is working with others to address these issues in a number of ways.
	On oil sector flows:
	We are encouraging the Angolan Government to make public the findings of an oil diagnostic study undertaken by independent consultants. Initial drafts of the study have already helped to shed light on oil receipts.
	The Angolan Government have agreed with the IMF on the need for an independent financial audit of the state oil company (Sonangol). Details, however, have not yet been discussed.
	We are participating in an international effort to encourage oil companies to publish their payments to the Angolan Government.
	We are participating in the promotion of corporate social responsibility in ways that increase accountability for expenditure of oil revenues.
	On public finance management:
	The World bank and other donors are providing technical assistance to improve transparency of public finance flows and build stronger accounting systems.
	We are working on ensuring a consistent message from the international community that good governance and transparency are preconditions to international assistance, foreign investment, growth and poverty reduction.
	We are encouraging the Angolan Government to resume their dialogue with the IMF and establish a strong and transparent macroeconomic framework.

Angola

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what structures are in place to audit UK aid money provided to Angola.

Clare Short: UK development funds for Angola are paid through international agencies such as the UN and the World bank. They are therefore open to the audit processes of those agencies, of DFID's Internal Audit Department and of the UK National Audit Office (NAO).

Angola

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what anti-corruption measures her Department supports in Angola.

Clare Short: My Department does not support any specific anti-corruption measures in Angola. However we are working closely with the international community to make clear to the Government of Angola that good governance and transparency are preconditions to international assistance, foreign investment, growth and poverty reduction. We are also encouraging the Angolan Government to resume its dialogue with the IMF and establish a strong and transparent macroeconomic framework.

Angola

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department's strategy is for supporting agriculture in Angola.

Clare Short: As a relatively small donor in Angola, my Department's strategy is based around a series of focused interventions in sectors where we feel we can best add value. These interventions include support to the disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) process, provision of basic services in peri-urban shanty towns, and support to the interim Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (I-PRSP). We do not at present plan to support activities in the agricultural sector. However a number of other donors, including the USA and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), have been carrying out seeds and tools programmes designed to help displaced people resettle on agricultural land.

Angola

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the humanitarian relief programme in Angola since April.

Clare Short: The humanitarian situation in Angola is very serious. Prior to April 2002, more than 80 per cent. of the country was inaccessible. Since the cease-fire, already over-stretched aid agencies have been able to reach many thousands more severely malnourished people. The UN Under Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Co-ordination, Kenzo Oshima, estimated that a quarter of the population—3 million people—would require assistance in the next few months. WFP has raised its caseload figure of people requiring assistance to 1.9 million and this is expected to rise further following a DFID funded comprehensive needs assessment.
	The UK has been working hard to ensure that donors and implementing partners develop a consensus view on future needs. The Government remain in close contact with international partners, and will remain at the forefront of diplomatic and political efforts to ensure that humanitarian assistance can be delivered more effectively.

Angola

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent discussions her Department has had with the World Food Programme on their recommendations for the establishment of a reception and transit centre for refugees returning to Angola.

Clare Short: UNHCR are co-ordinating the return and resettlement of refugees to Angola, and WFP will form part of the international community's response. However plans are at an early stage, and although some refugees have chosen to return to Angola under their own steam, UNHCR do not expect to begin their return programme until 2003. UNHCR have been keeping donors up to speed with their plans, but my Department had no specific discussions with them at this stage. Our focus to date has been on the urgent needs of internally displaced people (IDPs) and the former UNITA fighters, many of whom have begun to be resettled by the Government. We are in very close touch with WFP, and other agencies, on this and have recently given #250,000 to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) for a project to assist the return and reintegration of IDPs in the Kuanza Sul and Huambo Provinces.

Angola

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding her Department has given to aid the humanitarian situation in Angola in the last 12 months.

Clare Short: Over the last 12 months, my Department has contributed #1.7 million to the United Nations appeal for Angola to ensure that critical humanitarian needs are met and to assist in the reception areas for ex UNITA fighters. We have also committed some #2 million to the International Committee for the Red Cross and Medecins Sans Frontieres, who are at the forefront of the humanitarian response.
	My Department has approved a further #3 million for the humanitarian relief effort in Angola for this financial year. Approved contributions include #750,000 to assist with World Food Programme logistic, #300,000 for the United Nations Development Programme for demining and #250,000 to assist the International Organisation for Migration with the resettlement of internally displaced people.

Angola

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what UN agencies which her Department supports are working in Angola; and what financial commitment her Department has made to these programmes.

Clare Short: My Department is working closely with the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Angola, which in turn co-ordinates the work of the UN agencies and NGO humanitarian agencies.
	So far this year, my Department has contributed #1.7 million to the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Angola, to ensure that critical humanitarian needs are met and to assist with the reception areas for ex-UNITA fighters.
	My department's response to the latest UN appeal will be significant. Approved contributions so far include #750,000 to assist with World Food Programme logistics, #300,000 for the United Nations Development Programmes for demining and #250,000 to assist the International Organisation with the resettlement of displaced people.

Anti-corruption Commissions

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which anti-corruption commissions are in receipt of financial assistance from the Government.

Clare Short: Anti-corruption commissions in Honduras, Malawi, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zambia are in receipt of financial assistance from my Department.
	We are also currently developing support to the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission in Nigeria.
	Support for anti-corruption commissions is normally only one part of wider programme of activity to bear down on corruption.

Belize

Tom Clarke: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made on the Government of Belize's application for relief under the Commonwealth Debt Initiative.

Clare Short: Following an assessment by my officials in August 2002, I wrote to Prime Minister Musa on 24 September 2002 advising him that I was able to agree debt relief amounting to #1.4 million under CDI for the period 30 June 2001 to 1 July 2002.

Corruption

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to tackle low public sector wages in developing countries.

Clare Short: Low public sector wages are one of the major constraints to the improved provision of services in many of our partner countries. However, all countries, not only developing ones, have limits regarding the affordability of pay increases. My Department is working with developing country governments in reforming all aspects of public sector management, which includes, where relevant, strategies to increase revenue as well as improving terms and conditions of service. Other reforms are also important—such as better recruitment practice and performance management for all staff. But these reforms can be implemented only where Governments are committed to their implementation; we cannot demand that action be taken.

Corruption

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the estimated impact of the level of public sector wages on the potential for corruption in developing countries.

Clare Short: There is conflicting evidence on the impact of low public sector wages alone on the potential for corruption. It is widely assumed that extremely low public sector wages create a motivation for corrupt practices. However, there is increasing evidence that public sector wages will only have an impact on the levels of corruption when it is part of a comprehensive package of civil sector reform, including among others, merit-based recruitment and promotion, replacement of corrupt personnel (particularly managers) and appropriate training.

Corruption

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which developing countries are in receipt of support from her Department in the development of parliamentary commissioners for the investigation of corruption.

Clare Short: DFID's collaboration with the World Bank Institute on anti-corruption programmes in 14 countries in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe includes assistance specifically directed towards parliamentarians and parliamentary oversight committees. This can cover both the role of Parliament in the budget making process and the subsequent scrutiny function through oversight institutions such as Public Accounts Committees, Offices of Auditor-General and Offices of Ombudsmen. Countries covered by this programme are Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bulgaria, Romania, Russia and the Ukraine.

Corruption

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department provides to developing countries for the strengthening of criminal justice systems.

Clare Short: In September 2000 my Department published a policy document called XJustice and Poverty Reduction". Copies are available in the House of Commons Library and on our website.
	The document recognises that fair and effective criminal justice systems are critically important to the elimination of poverty. In many countries we are supporting partner governments to improve the effectiveness of policing, to support penal reform, and to promote speedy and fair trials. Civil society groups are supported in their efforts to provide community safety and protect human rights.
	Innovative sector-wide programmes in Uganda, Nigeria, and Malawi support efforts to improve co-ordination among different actors in the justice system, and to address common problems. More sector-wide programmes of this kind are in the planning stages, and should commence in the next 12 months.

Corruption

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to make the (a) reporting and (b) recording of corrupt practice in development programmes easier.

Clare Short: DFID procedures are designed to uncover corrupt practices in programmes that we finance. We encourage and investigate any reports or allegations of corrupt practices, respecting the confidence of the informant in line with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.

Corruption

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the role of local media in combating corruption in developing countries; and what steps she is taking to support local media in developing countries.

Clare Short: Well targeted investigative journalism can expose corrupt practices in government and promote accountability in public life. DFID supports media development in a number of developing and transition countries, and published guidance on developing free and effective media to serve the interests of the poor in July 2001. Copies of XThe Media in Governance" are available in the House of Commons Library and on our website.

Corruption

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action is being taken to improve the local banking systems in developing countries.

Clare Short: We have committed #20 million to a new multilateral initiative that will provide technical assistance to strengthen banking and financial supervision in developing countries. In addition, we are engaged in various activities to improve the delivery of banking services to poor people, and to small and medium-sized enterprises. This includes an #18.5 million challenge fund to promote innovative financial services for the poor, and support to microfinance institutions in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe.

Corruption

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what precautionary steps are taken to reduce the potential for petty corruption in development projects funded by her Department.

Clare Short: All proposals for development projects funded by DFID are required to set out acceptable accounting, procurement and audit arrangements in order to minimise the risk of petty corruption. Projects are also subject to periodic monitoring to ensure that resources are used as agreed. Where weaknesses are identified in systems used by partner governments or organisations, we seek assurances that such weaknesses are being tackled and provide support where needed to help to ensure that this is effective.

Corruption

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what evidence has been collected over the last 12 months on instances of petty corruption in development projects funded by her Department.

Clare Short: Cases of petty corruption directly affecting DFID project funds are reported to our accounts department. Ten such cases were reported in the 2001–02 financial year, involving a total sum of nearly #60,000.

Donor Funding

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what systems are used to audit the effectiveness of sector-wide approaches to donor funding; and if she will publish reports she has commissioned into the effectiveness of sector-wide approaches.

Clare Short: DFID assesses the effectiveness of its support for sector-wide approaches (SWAps) in the same way as it does for all forms of assistance, namely through a combination of regular monitoring by the relevant programme team and by independent evaluation and research. Reports, such as the forthcoming Basic Education Evaluation that considers the effectiveness of Education SWAps, will be published on completion. A growing body of literature is already available publicly—for example on the Overseas Development Institute's site www.odi.org.uk/pppg/cape/advisory/swaps.html.

Ivory Coast

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her assessment is of the effect the conflict in the Ivory Coast is having on UN famine relief efforts in Africa.

Clare Short: We have not done an independent assessment on the effect the conflict in Cote d'Ivoire is having on UN famine relief efforts in Africa. Currently most UN famine relief efforts in Africa are directed towards Southern and East Africa. So far we have received no indications that UN resources committed to these relief efforts are being stretched or redirected in response to the conflict in Cote d'Ivoire.

Ivory Coast

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid will be provided to the Government of the Ivory Coast in this financial year.

Clare Short: The UK is not providing any direct assistance to the Government of the Ivory Coast. Our assistance to Cote d'Ivoire is primarily channelled through contributions to the EC and other multilateral organisations. The table shows the latest available figures and the imputed UK shares:
	
		
			  Total net oda 2,000 US$ millions UK imputed share 2,000 US$ millions 
		
		
			 EC 3.0 0.5 
			 World bank 75.4 5.3 
			 UN agencies 13.1 0.7

Firefighters' Dispute

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what preparations she has made to ensure the safety and continuity of service to the public in the event of a firefighters' strike; and what the cost is to the Department of these actions.

Clare Short: The nature of my Department's work is such that there would be little direct impact on our service to the public as a result of a fire-fighter's strike. We are of course looking at our contingency arrangements in the event of a fire, and have taken action to raise the awareness of all our staff. No additional expenditure has been incurred.

Food Aid

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the estimated amount of food aid required by the World Food Programme is; and how much has been distributed to (a) Zambia, (b) Zimbabwe, (c) Malawi, (d) Mozambique, (e) Lesotho, (f) Swaziland and (g) Angola.

Clare Short: World Food Programme emergency operation for southern Africa
		
			 Country Planned food aid needs July 2002–March 2003 Quantities delivered Quantities in transit 
		
		
			 Zimbabwe 452,955 MT 15,490 MT 51,400 MT 
			 Malawi 264,501 MT 39,009 MT 80,636 MT 
			 Zambia 130,603 MT 7,218 MT 46,467 MT 
			 Mozambique 54,145 MT 0 MT 11 ,982 MT 
			 Lesotho 64,089 MT 29,931 MT 33,577 MT 
			 Swaziland 26,166 MT 818 MT 16,860 MT 
			 Angola (to Dec 2003) 305,598 MT 77,366 MT 83,531 MT 
		
	
	The World Food Programme (WFP) is currently revising its requirements for the southern Africa humanitarian crisis in the light of a recent assessment of needs to March 2003 by the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Vulnerability Assessment Committee of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC). Planning since April has assumed that needs will peak in the period December 2002 to March 2003.
	Figures do not include food aid from WFP's previous country-specific programmes which have been transferred to the regional emergency operation, and which met needs early in the marketing year from May. Neither do they include food aid deliveries through other (non-WFP) parallel pipelines.

Libya

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she and her Department have to meet representatives of the Libyan Government.

Clare Short: None, at present.

Secondments

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many Departmental staff have been seconded to multilateral aid organisations for the purpose of improving aid effectiveness in the last five years.

Clare Short: There are currently 69 DFID staff seconded to multilateral aid organisations. There is no central record of staff seconded in previous years.

Overseas Aid

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of overseas aid is spent on (a) basic health care and (b) education.

Clare Short: The information required on the proportion of the UK's bilateral aid programme allocable by sector in 2001–02 is:
	Education: 13 per cent.
	Basic health care: 12 per cent.
	These figures represent expenditure on projects and programmes specific to these sectors but do not capture the full extent of our efforts in each policy area because they exclude multisector projects and programmes, strategic funding to civil society organisations and budget support and balance of payments. Also excluded are activities funded through multilateral channels.

Overseas Aid

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what efforts are being made to improve the quality of data collection in the measurement of aid effectiveness.

Clare Short: The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) provide an internationally agreed framework for assessing the overall effectiveness of the development effort. A working set of 48 indicators has been agreed against which to measure progress. These provide a baseline for the international community to help ensure an adequate set of internationally available indicators that the UN will use to report global progress annually.
	Within individual countries DFID and other donors are committed to using Government performance indicators and data whenever possible to monitor progress. This minimises additional demands for information on developing countries, and allows us to strengthen country statistical systems at the same time as improving data for measuring our own effectiveness.
	Most of the world's poorest countries are developing Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRSs) which set out how their Governments will address poverty. These PRSs must set out a monitoring framework which specifies the indicators which the Government and donors will use to assess progress. These frameworks have focussed attention on the poor quality and availability of existing data, and have encouraged increased and better co-ordinated Government and donor support to build capacity to collect the information required. DFID is currently supporting the PRS monitoring process in several countries, including Uganda, Malawi, Pakistan and Ghana, both directly and by helping to build general statistical capacity to underpin the PRS framework. Other bilateral donors are supporting efforts here and elsewhere. Strengthening country data systems also improves the availability and quality of the data required for global MDG monitoring. DFID is currently working with the UN and the World bank to improve the systems for collecting the required data from countries and disseminating these internationally.
	In addition, there are several multilateral initiatives which aim to improve the quality of data available within partner countries. The IMF's General Data Dissemination System project—partly funded by DFID—supports African countries in drawing up and implementing plans for improving their statistical systems. The World bank is currently considering ways of improving its capacity for results-based management, including new ways of increasing the funding available for statistical capacity building. The EC is in the process of drawing up guidelines for good practice in donor reporting and monitoring and working to encourage greater harmonisation among donors.

Overseas Aid

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the projects in which her Department has undertaken joint evaluations of aid effectiveness with other major donors over the last 12 months.

Clare Short: During the last 12 months DFID's Evaluation Department has participated in the following joint studies:
	Evaluating Comprehensive Development Framework (of pilot country performance)
	Evaluation of Basic Education
	European Union XTriple C"—coherence, complementarity, co-ordination
	Evaluation of United Nations Family Planning Agency
	Decentralisation and local government
	Peace building and conflict reduction
	Social sector impact (focused upon Education in Ghana)
	All of the above studies are ongoing.

Poverty Reduction

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what consideration is given to anti-corruption strategies in the formulation of poverty reduction strategy papers.

Clare Short: While no rigid guidelines have been set for Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRS), it is expected that countries will address major impediments to poverty reduction such as corruption. My Department continues to work closely with IMF, the World Bank, and the World Bank Institute on a wide range of initiatives to support anti corruption measures in partner countries, and in the development of Poverty Reduction Strategies (PRS). Commitments and plans for anti-corruption programmes can also be assessed when the PRS is presented to the IMF and World Bank Boards.

Sudan

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the peace process in Sudan and the assistance provided by the British Government to that process.

Clare Short: The Government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army parties resumed the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) talks on 14 October. The parties have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding on a cessation of hostilities for the duration of the talks. This was implemented on 17 October. We warmly welcome these developments. The cessation of hostilities will improve the atmosphere for the negotiations and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance. We urge the parties to seize this opportunity and shall continue to provide our full support as they work for a just and lasting peace. We have provided, and continue to provide, political and financial support to the Sudanese peace negotiations being mediated by the regional IGAD envoys in Kenya. We will continue to attend the talks as an observer and offer support and advice as necessary. To date we have provided personnel and #101,119 and US$25,000 in financial support to the IGAD secretariat.

Sudan

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of levels of political violence against ethnic minorities in Sudan; and what steps her Department has taken in response.

Clare Short: Repression of ethnic minorities is one of the deplorable human rights abuses resulting from the long-running conflict in Sudan. We are concerned about the human rights of all in the Sudan regardless of their ethnic or religious background and we regularly urge all sides in the civil war to respect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms. But the only long-term answer to the suffering in the Sudan is a peace settlement which will allow the people to rebuild their lives. We actively support the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) peace process as offering the best chance to bring an end to the civil war through a negotiated settlement.

Sudan

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on humanitarian aid flights to Sudan.

Clare Short: We continue to urge all parties to give all possible help to the UN and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to ensure speedy delivery of humanitarian assistance. Our ambassador in Khartoum raised the general issue of humanitarian access with the Sudanese Minister of International Cooperation on 24 October.
	The UN and the Humanitarian Affairs Commission and the Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Authority are meeting in Nairobi on 25 October to discuss the implementation of unrestricted humanitarian access agreed in the Memorandum of Understanding on the Cessation of Hostilities on 17 October. We warmly welcome these developments.

Trade in Services

Syd Rapson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will publish the text of the final list of requests for market access tabled by the European Commission under the general agreement on trade in services; and what she estimates their impact would be on (a) poverty and (b) sustainable development in each of the developing countries affected.

Clare Short: Requests for market access as part of the general agreement on trade in services (GATS) are made on a bilateral basis with WTO members making requests directly to other members. The commitments then offered by countries receiving requests will be made public by the WTO and will apply to all WTO members according to the Xmost favoured nation" principle. Countries are therefore not under any obligation to make their requests public and any information regarding these requests would ordinarily be treated as confidential by the WTO secretariat. The European Commission has, however, published a summary of its requests on its website (http://europa.eu.int/comm/trade/services/gats—sum.htm).
	It should be stressed that regardless of the requests being made or the Member making them, no country receiving requests is under any obligation to make commitments in any sector. The GATS is a Xbottom-up" agreement whereby countries individually choose in which sectors they want to make binding commitments and in which they do not.
	For developing countries to make informed decisions regarding the liberalisation of service sectors (or any other area of trade liberalisation) they must have a clear understanding of the likely impact any such actions will have on their domestic economies and the livelihoods of their citizens, especially the poor. This is why DFID is engaging with a variety of donor organisations (primarily the World bank and UNCTAD) to help ensure that developing countries are given adequate support in this area.
	However, the number of developing countries involved in the GATS negotiations is very large (the majority of WTO members are developing countries) and it would not be possible for DFID to collect and present impact assessments for all these countries.
	Instead, each country will be responsible for carrying out its own assessments which it may or may not choose to make public. DFID's role is to help ensure that developing countries have the necessary capacity to carry out informative and useful impact assessments which take proper account of the interests of the poor and of sustainable development issues.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Finningley Airfield

Caroline Flint: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he has received the Inspector's report on the planning application to redevelop Finningley Airfield.

John Prescott: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister received the Inspector's report on this application on 19 September. In order to ensure that the advice set out in the XGuidance on Property Issues in the Handling of Planning Casework" is followed, I have decided, since the application site is in the Yorkshire and Humber Region, where my constituency is located, that this case should be dealt with by my hon. Friend the Member for Harrow, East.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

A-level Regrading

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which universities have had to make provision for extra students following the results of the regrading of A-levels.

Margaret Hodge: This information is not held by the Department. As of 22 October 2002, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service has been informed of 15 students whose move to another institution had been agreed as a result of re-grading.

A-level Regrading

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the cost will be of ensuring that no student is financially disadvantaged by the A-level regrading.

Margaret Hodge: My right hon. Friend has made it clear that students will not suffer financial disadvantage as a result of changing their institution due to regrading of A-level results. The A-level claims fund has been established to meet the legitimate costs of students who are able to transfer and students have until 31 January 2003 to apply. The fund can meet accommodation, books, travel and, where necessary, tuition fees, as well as other costs at the discretion of the institution.
	The costs falling to the fund are not likely to be high, given the relatively small number of students affected. Institutions will pay claims from students in the first instance and they will be fully reimbursed.

AS-Levels

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight on 15 October 2002, Official Report, column 218, (a) whether there is an upper limit on the number of AS Levels which may be accrued by an individual, (b) how much marginally easier an AS Level may be than the old A Level standard, (c) whether it is his policy that the current A Level is of equivalent standard to the old A Level standard, (d) whether UCAS points may be aggregated such that two AS Levels are equivalent to one A Level and (e) whether a pupil will, by obtaining six AS Levels at grade C, achieve the equivalent of three A Levels at grade C.

David Miliband: holding answer 22 October 2002
	In reply:
	(a) No.
	(b) That is a matter for the QCA.
	(c) Yes.
	(d) Yes.
	(e) No. AS and A Levels are different qualifications. A greater depth of understanding of the subject is required for the full A level.

Departmental Websites

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list the website links associated with his Department, including sites now dormant or closed, and indicating whether they are live, dormant or closed; what the start up costs were for each site listed; what the operating costs were in each year since start up for each site; which company hosted each site; what assessment takes place for each site; which company does the assessment; if he will place the assessment reports in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Clarke: Core programme costs for the Department for Education and Skills central website www.dfes.gov.uk (real terms figures in 2001–02 prices) were as follows:
	
		
			 Year # 
		
		
			 1998–1999 43,200 
			 1998–2000 84,200 
			 1999–2000 140,300 
			 2002–01 266,600 
			 2001–02 654,800 
		
	
	Separate start up costs are not available. These costs include central hosting via EduServ (including, for the majority of the associated sites (listed below), maintenance and research.
	The planned research programme for the core departmental site comprises an annual exit poll on site performance and user satisfaction, regular usage statistics, and other user research on specific issues as needed.
	The initial exit poll research conducted by Research International will be placed in the HOC Library.
	Archived parts of the site are available to the public at www.dfes.gov.uk/dfee.
	The Department has a small number of separate websites aimed at specific campaigns and users. The majority of these sites are hosted by the Department's central hosting agreement and do not have separate hosting costs. Sites are typically subject to user research and usage statistics. Information on programme costs for each site, where it is separately available, is given below. (Real terms figures are in 2001–02 prices). Children and young people unit: www.cypu.goy.uk
	Hosted through our central contract with EduServ, separate programme costs not available.
	Connexions: www.connexions.gov.uk
	2001–02 —#30,600
	www.connexionscard.com.
	2001–02—#800,000
	www.connexions-direct.com
	Hosted through our central contract with EduServ, separate programme costs not available.
	Foundation degree: www.foundationdegree.org.uk
	Hosted through our central contract with EduServ, separate programme costs not available.
	Lifelong Learning: www.lifelonglearning.dfes.gov.uk
	
		
			  # 
		
		
			 1997–98 38,000 
			 1998–99 42,000 
			 1999–2000 38,900 
			 2000–01 42,800 
			 2001–02 43,600 
		
	
	The site was hosted by Transcend Technology Ltd. between 1995–97 and 1997 onwards by Demon Internet.
	The company who manages and maintains the site (Lifelong Learning Internet Services) completes a report for the Department annually. The report will be placed in the HOC Library.
	Millennium Volunteers: www.mvonline.gov.uk
	Hosted through our central contract with EduServ, separate programme costs not available.
	Planet Science: www.scienceyear.com
	Annual budget:—#192,000
	The site is hosted by Cyberstride on behalf of Planet Science, the company set up by NESTA to run the whole project.
	The site currently features an online survey, the results of which will placed in the HOC Library when they are available in the new year.
	Sure start: www.surestart.gov.uk
	2001–02—#26,200
	Standards: www.standards.dfes.gov.uk
	Annual budget:—#1,250,000
	The site is currently hosted via the Central Office of Information. Qualitative assessment on usage and customer satisfaction is under way. The National Literacy and Numeracy areas have recently been assessed by Central Office of Information Communications. Teacher net: www.teachernet.gov.uk
	Annual budget:—#140,000
	Research on image and customer satisfaction has been carried out by Netpoll and Prospero. Technical quality assurance is carried out by PJ Net Solutions Ltd. Research will be placed in the HOC Library.

Disabled Students (Access)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent progress has been made by further and higher education providers to ensure that course materials are accessible to disabled students; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: Through the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001, the Government have amended the Disability Discrimination Act to place new duties on providers of post-16 education. These duties started to be effective from September 2002. It is now unlawful to discriminate against disabled students by treating them less favourably than others, and responsible bodies have a duty to provide reasonable adjustments to provision where disabled students might otherwise be substantially disadvantaged. This duty includes ensuring that any course materials provided to disabled students are available in an accessible format.

Engineering Training

Robert Walter: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to propose amendments to legislation regarding levies to the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 24 October 2002
	The Industrial Training Act 1982 gives industrial training boards the power to raise a levy from employers in the industry they cover. The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) makes annual proposals to me for its levy arrangements, including the rates of levy that it feels are needed to encourage adequate training. The proposals must have the agreement of organisations representing the majority of those employers who pay most of the levy. Parliamentary approval is also required before I can make an order to put them into effect. I have no plans at present to change the legislation.

Higher Education

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether students with (a) the University for Industry and (b) the National Health Service University will be treated as participating in higher education.

Margaret Hodge: Those students who are registered on a programme of study leading to a higher education qualification are treated as participating in higher education. This applies to Ufi learners and will also apply to learners within the NHSU, once it is established.

Higher Education

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to widen participation in higher education.

Margaret Hodge: This Government are committed to widening participation in higher education. Our reform of secondary education will improve attainment levels and encourage greater numbers to enter higher education. Through our 14–19 proposals we will ensure that young people have access to both academic and vocational study which is attractive and relevant to them, further raising the post-16 staying on rate, levels of attainment and aspirations.
	We have introduced the Excellence Challenge, worth over #190 million over three years, which will raise aspirations and attainment in some of the country's most deprived areas, and our AimHigher campaign promotes the benefits of higher education to young people. We have also increased student support for those who need it, including Opportunity Bursaries for young people from low income backgrounds, increased Access and Hardship Funds and a new child care grant and travel, books and equipment grant for student parents.
	The forthcoming higher education strategy document will set out a 10-year vision for developing higher education, and widening participation will naturally be a key element of that vision. The Government strongly believe that fair access to all our universities and colleges must be an integral part of our higher education system and our strategy document will reflect that.

Modern Apprenticeships

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the funding available to those over 19 completing a modern apprenticeship in (a) England and (b) Wales.

Margaret Hodge: Funding and planning of Modern Apprenticeship provision is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested and place a copy of his reply in the Library. The funding of Modern Apprenticeships in Wales is a devolved issue.

Reoffending

Keith Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action he has taken to implement the recommendations relevant to his Department in the Social Exclusion Unit report Reducing Re-offending by Ex-prisoners.

Ivan Lewis: I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Social Exclusion and Women on 24 October. Responsibility for co-ordinating action to implement the recommendations of the Social Exclusion Unit report XReducing Re-offending by Ex-prisoners" rests with the Home Office, where a new unit, the Adult Offenders Rehabilitation Unit has been set up. This unit will, in due course, produce an action plan detailing how the recommendations will be taken forward. Interdepartmental groups of ministers and officials will be convened to oversee the work of this unit. The Social Exclusion Unit remains fully involved in monitoring and facilitating progress through its implementation team.

Student Funding Review

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the Government will publish its review of student funding.

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he intends to publish the review of student funding.

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the Government will publish its review of student funding.

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he expects to announce the results of the review into higher education spending.

Margaret Hodge: The outcome of the student finance review will form part of the strategy document setting out our 10-year vision for the development and reform of higher education. We will be publishing the strategy document shortly.

Student Loans

John MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reason eligibility for student loans is restricted to those under the age of 55.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 21 October 2002
	In England and Wales student loans for maintenance are not available to over 54 year olds only because the loan is written off at retirement age, which may leave many older graduates with inadequate time for repayment.
	There is no age limit on eligibility for grants for tuition fees, supplementary grants for living costs or hardship funds, which do not have to be repaid.

Student Loans

John MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills for what reason people aged 50 to 54 wishing to access loans have to state their intention to seek employment in writing.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 21 October 2002
	Student loans are intended to be repaid. For this reason, in England and Wales, they are only available to 50 to 54 year-olds who intend to enter employment upon graduating, and thus, will have the means to repay.
	There is no age limit on eligibility for grants for tuition fees, supplementary grants for living costs or hardship funds which do not have to be repaid.

Student Loans

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to raise the repayment threshold for student loans.

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the Government will raise the repayment threshold for student loans.

Margaret Hodge: There are two types of student loan. Borrowers who started their courses before the 1998–99 academic year are liable to repay fixed-term (mortgage-style) loans. Income contingent loans apply to the vast majority of borrowers who entered higher education from the 1998–99 academic year.
	Under the mortgage-style loans scheme, a student can defer their loan repayments for a year at a time if their income is not more than 85 per cent. of national average earnings. This deferment threshold is recalculated annually in line with figures published by National Statistics, and is currently #21,022 for the year starting 1 September 2002. Any change to the 85 per cent. threshold would require primary legislation and we have no plans to make such a change.
	The threshold for repaying income contingent loans is an annual income of #10,000. Borrowers over this threshold are liable to repay 9 per cent. of their income over #10,000. The repayment scheme came into effect in April 2000 and the level of the threshold is being kept under review.

Student Loans

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans the Government have to raise the repayment threshold of student loans.

Margaret Hodge: We have announced our intention to publish a strategy document setting out our vision for the development and reform of higher education, including the outcome of the review of student support. The document will be out shortly; it would not be right to pre-empt it here by saying what is or is not planned.

Student Loans

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to increase the earnings threshold at which student loans become repayable; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: There are two types of student loan. Borrowers who started their courses before the 1998–99 Academic Year are liable to repay fixed-term (mortgage-style) loans. Income contingent loans apply to the vast majority of borrowers who entered higher education from the 1998–99 Academic Year.
	Under the mortgage-style loans scheme, a student can defer their loan repayments for a year at a time if their income is not more than 85 per cent. of national average earnings. This deferment threshold is recalculated annually in line with figures published by National Statistics, and is currently 21,022 for the year starting 1 September 2002. We have no plans to change the 85 per cent. threshold.
	The threshold for repaying income contingent loans is an annual income of 10,000. Borrowers over this threshold are liable to repay 9 per cent. of their income over 10,000. The repayment scheme came into effect in April 2000 and the level of the threshold is being kept under review.

Student Support

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on student support for 2003–04.

Margaret Hodge: We have no plans to make widespread changes to the financial support arrangements for students entering or continuing in higher education in 2003.

Targeted Maintenance

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans he has to introduce targeted maintenance support for less wealthy students.

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will reintroduce targeted maintenance support for those students from the poorest backgrounds.

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans the Government have to introduce targeted maintenance support for students from low-income families.

Margaret Hodge: We have announced our intention to publish a strategy document setting out our vision for the development and reform of higher education, including the outcome of the review of student support. The document will be out shortly; it would not be right to pre-empt it here by saying what is or is not planned.

Top-up Fees

Martin Caton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans the Government have to allow universities to charge students top-up fees;

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if it is his policy to permit universities to charge top-up fees to students;

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether the Government plan to allow universities to charge students top-up fees;

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what his policy is on the introduction of top-up fees for tuition at English universities; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: We have announced our intention to publish a strategy document setting out our vision for the development and reform of higher education, including the outcome of the review of student support. The document will be out shortly; it would not be right to pre-empt it here by saying what is or is not planned.

Departmental Expenditure

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what underspend his Department has identified in the current year's capital programme.

Ivan Lewis: The Department for Education and Skills does not publish outturn expenditure forecasts at this stage of the year. Estimated outturn figures for 2002–03 will be published in the Budget Report 2003.

Universities

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what meetings (a) he and (b) his ministers have had with UK universities between 1 September 2001 and 17 October 2002.

Margaret Hodge: My right hon. Friend and I regularly meet representatives of UK universities in the course of normal business.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Animal Welfare

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many cattle pregnancies and lactations were generated by (a) artificial insemination and (b) hire bulls in the last 12 months.

Elliot Morley: At present there is no information collected or held on a central basis of how many cattle pregnancies and lactations were generated by artificial inseminations and hire bulls. This could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost that would be an unjustifiable use of public resources.

Animal Welfare

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many successful prosecutions have been brought under the Protection Against Cruel Tethering Act 1988.

John Denham: I have been asked to reply.
	Offences connected with cruel tethering cannot be distinguished from other offences under the Protection of Animals Act 1911 in the statistics collected centrally.

Biofuel Crops

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to promote the planting of biofuel crops on set aside land; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: This Department has allocated #29 million under the Energy Crops Scheme, part of the England Rural Development Programme, for the establishment of short rotation coppice and miscanthus for energy purposes. These crops can be planted on set-aside land and receive payments under the Arable Area Payments Scheme. The Government are providing #70 million of funding through a package of measures which will develop markets for biomass, including energy crops grown on set-aside land, in heat, combined heat and power and electricity generation.
	The European Commission has published initial proposals for further reform of the Common Agricultural Policy to take effect from 2004. Under these proposals, no crops would be grown on set-aside land. A new carbon credit of Euro45 per hectare is proposed for energy crops, to be paid to producers entering into a contract with a processor. The proposal includes a maximum guaranteed area of 1.5 million hectares eligible for this additional payment.

Biotechnology

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which body is responsible for the regulation of genetic biotechnology on farm animals.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 21 October 2002
	There are a number of bodies that have responsibility for regulating the use of genetic biotechnology on farm animals.
	Defra are responsible for the Genetically Modified Organisms (Deliberate Release) Regulations 2002 which governs the release and marketing of all genetically modified organisms in the European Union. This would cover any proposal to release a genetically modified farm animal into the environment; either for experimental or commercial use.
	The Health and Safety Executive are responsible for the Genetically Modified (Contained Use) Regulations 2000 which governs the risks to human health from GMOs (including any farm animals) in contained use.
	The Home Office are responsible for the implementation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. This legislation regulates the use of live animals, including farm animal species, for experimental or other scientific purposes where the use of the animals may cause pain, distress or lasting harm.
	Defra are also responsible for the general animal welfare legislation which equally applies to animals produced by biotechnology, once they have been released.

Canoeists

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase the access to waterways for canoeists; and if she will make a statement.

Alun Michael: Copies of our research report, XWater-Based Sport and Recreation: the facts" were placed in the Libraries of both Houses in December 2001.
	While none of the access issues identified in the report are new or straight forward to resolve I can assure the hon. Member of my commitment to finding solutions wherever possible.
	As a first step I have asked the Countryside Agency (in partnership with other Government agencies) to pilot some access demonstration projects to develop best practice for access agreements on key stretches of water.

Climate Change

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to his answer of 19 September 2002, Official Report, column 283W, on climate change, what costs are associated with the UK climate change scenarios; when the results will be published; if she will list the other projects that the UK Government is working on in other countries and the associated costs incurred; and if she will make a statement.

Michael Meacher: In April 2002, the Department published the 2002 UK Climate Change Scenarios. The total direct cost of producing these scenarios was #153,500, covering climate modelling, interpretation of model outputs, and publication and dissemination of research findings.
	The Department is also funding bilateral programmes in India and China. These projects use the outputs of the Hadley Centre's regional climate model, to investigate the possible impacts of climate change. The India programme is investigating the possible impact of climate change on water resources, forestry, infrastructure, health, agriculture and the coastal zone, at a total cost of #650,000 over three years. The China programme is investigating the possible impact of climate change on agriculture, at a total cost of approximately #400,000 over 2 years.

Correspondence

David Maclean: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will answer the letters of 15 March and 21 August from the right hon. Member for Penrith and The Border, on Mr. D Armstrong of Mill Hill Road, Wigton, Cumbria and Mr. W K Graham of Sillan, Cumbria.

Alun Michael: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State responded on 15 October.

Departmental Job Vacancies

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many job vacancies there were at (a) administrative assistant or equivalent, (b) administrative officer or equivalent, (c) administrative executive officer, (d) higher executive officer, (e) senior executive officer, (f) grade 7 nbprincipal and (g) all positions above grade 7 level in her Department for jobs located in (i) London and (ii) the south east between 1 April 2001 and 31 March; and what is the total employment for each civil service grade.

Alun Michael: Defra came into existence in June 2001 as a result of machinery of Government changes. It took several months to incorporate all staff of the new organisation into the Department's HR system. Therefore, the information requested is not available for the period in question.

Fissile Materials

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what notification she has received from (a) Nirex, (b) the Environment Agency and (c) the Health and Safety Executive/Nuclear Installations Inspectorate in respect of concerns over fissile materials limits in intermediate level wastes being conditioned for packaging.

Michael Meacher: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, has not received any notifications of representations from UK Nirex, the Environment Agency or the Health and Safety Executive on this issue.

Horticulture Research International

Desmond Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the level of her Department's funding for Horticulture Research International was in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Defra funding at Horticulture Research International (HRI) relates to specifically commissioned R&D projects and work won by HRI through our R&D competitions. We have also given HRI grants for capital and other purposes. A summary of the total funding provided by Defra (and, prior to 2001–02, MAFF) in each of the last five years is given in the table. I also refer the hon. Member to the reply given in relation to question 192.
	
		DEFRA funding of Horticulture Research International over the period 1997–2002
		
			 Year R&D payments(4) CMF(5) Restructuring and pensions Capital and  other payments Total (# million) 
		
		
			 1997–98 12.3 — — 1.7 14.0 
			 1998–99 12.3 — 5.9 0.4 18.6 
			 1999–2000 11.4 — — 0.4 11.8 
			 2000–01 10.4 0.3 4.2 1.0 15.9 
			 2001–02 10.4 1.5 1.6 0.2 13.7 
		
	
	(4)Figures given on an accruals basis are shown in HRI's accounts.
	(5)Capital Modernisation Fund

Ivory

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government are taking to stop the illegal trade in ivory.

Elliot Morley: Commercial trade in ivory is currently prohibited under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). In order to prevent illegal trade, the UK has strict controls which are actively enforced by HM Customs and Excise. Between 1 April and 30 September 2002, Customs made 55 seizures of ivory, including two weighing 26.6kg and 445kg. Under the Customs and Excise Management Act (1979) the illegal import or export of ivory can result in an unlimited fine and/or up to seven years imprisonment. Similarly, under the Control of Endangered Species (Enforcement) Regulations (1997) the illegal, commercial use of ivory within the UK can lead to an unlimited fine and/or up to two years imprisonment.
	The UK has also provided #60,000 towards the Elephant Trade Information System (ETIS) which provides information on the worldwide illegal trade in ivory. ETIS has just produced a detailed report which will be considered at the twelfth Conference of CITES Parties (CoP12), in Chile, next month, when the issue of whether to allow the resumption of trade in ivory from five southern African states will be discussed. The UK will not support any proposal which seems likely to undermine the conservation of the elephant, or lead to an increase in the illegal killing of elephants.

Land Drainage

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what mechanisms she is using to monitor the conservation duty on internal drainage boards in the Land Drainage Act 1994; and what action she is taking to enforce this duty.

Elliot Morley: In November 1999, following Ministerial agreement with the Environment Agency, the Local Government Association and the Association of Drainage Authorities, the Government published a number of High Level Targets (HLT) for flood and coastal defence operating authorities. These targets were adopted by Defra on its creation in June 2001.
	High Level Target 1 requires all flood and coastal defence operating authorities to produce a publicly available policy statement setting out plans for delivering the Government's policy aims and objectives. Section 2.3 of Defra's guidance on preparing these policy statements requires internal drainage boards to state in their policy how they will comply with statutory environmental obligations and contribute to relevant biodiversity targets.
	HLT9 and 10 are designed to ensure that all operating authorities meet their obligation to 'further the conservation and enhancement of natural beauty and the conservation of flora, fauna and geological or physiographical features of special interest' as required under Section 61A of the Land Drainage Act 1994.
	HLT9 requires all operating authorities, in addition to their statutory obligations when carrying out flood and coastal defence works, to aim:
	to avoid damage to environmental interest;
	to ensure no net loss to habitats covered by Biodiversity Action Plans (BAP habitats); and
	to seek opportunities for environmental enhancement.
	They are further required to report all losses and gains of BAP habitats resulting from their flood and coastal defence operations to the Environment Agency. The agency report on the collated information annually to Defra.
	Under HLT10, all operating authorities are required to complete and implement Water Level Management Plans, in partnership with English Nature, for sites designated under the European birds and habitats directives and for sites of special scientific interest. The Environment Agency is required to report annually to Defra on operating authorities' progress in implementing and reviewing WLMPs against their published programme.

Recycling Scheme

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will list the local authorities that operate a door-step recycling scheme; and what plans she has to encourage more local authorities to take up this initiative.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 21 October 2002
	We are clear that there needs to be a significant increase in kerbside recycling. We have provided significant extra funds to local authorities through the standard spending assessment and a separate ring-fenced fund for recycling and waste minimisation. We are currently assessing the second tranche of bids for funding from that budget. The Prime Minister's Strategy Unit is currently reviewing waste strategy and its funding and is due to report shortly.
	The following authorities reported that they undertook some form of kerbside recycling scheme in the 2000–01 Municipal Waste Management Survey:
	Adur District Council
	Allerdale Borough Council
	Alnwick District Council
	Arun District Council
	Aylesbury Vale District Council
	Babergh District Council
	Barking and Dagenham LB
	Barnet LB
	Barnsley MBC
	Barrow-in-Furness Borough Council
	Basildon District Council
	Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
	Bassetlaw District Council
	Bath and North East Somerset Council
	Bedford Borough Council
	Bexley LB
	Birmingham City Council
	Blaby District Council
	Blackpool Borough Council
	Bolton MBC
	Boston Borough Council
	Bournemouth Borough Council
	Bracknell Forest Borough Council
	Bradford City MDC (MBC)
	Braintree District Council
	Breckland Borough Council
	Brent LB
	Brentwood Borough Council
	Bridgnorth District Council
	Bristol City Council
	Broadland District Council
	Bromley LB
	Broxbourne Borough Council
	Broxtowe Borough Council
	Bury MBC
	Cambridge City Council
	Camden LB
	Canterbury City Council
	Caradon District Council
	Carlisle City Council
	Carrick District Council
	Castle Morpeth Borough Council
	Castle Point Borough Council
	Charnwood Borough Council
	Chelmsford Borough Council
	Cheltenham Borough Council
	Cherwell District Council
	Chester City Council
	Chesterfield Borough Council
	Chester-Le-Street District Council
	Chichester District Council
	Chiltern District Council
	Christchurch Borough Council
	Colchester Borough Council
	Congleton Borough Council
	Copeland Borough Council
	Corby Borough Council
	Cotswold District Council
	Crawley Borough Council
	Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council
	Croydon LB
	Dacorum Borough Council
	Dartford Borough Council
	Daventry District Council
	Derby City Council
	Derbyshire Dales District Council
	Derwentside District Council
	Doncaster MBC
	Dudley MBC
	Durham City Council
	Ealing LB
	Easington District Council
	East Cambridgeshire District Council
	East Devon District Council
	East Dorset District Council
	East Hampshire District Council
	East Hertfordshire District Council
	East Lindsey District Council
	East Northamptonshire Council
	East Riding of Yorkshire Council
	East Staffordshire Borough Council
	Eastbourne Borough Council
	Eastleigh Borough Council
	Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council
	Enfield LB
	Epping Forest Borough Council
	Erewash Borough Council
	Exeter City Council
	Fareham Borough Council
	Fenland District Council
	Forest Heath District Council
	Forest of Dean District Council
	Fylde Borough Council
	Gedling Borough Council
	Gloucester City Council
	Gosport Borough Council
	Gravesham Borough Council
	Great Yarmouth Borough Council
	Greenwich LB
	Guildford Borough Council
	Halton Borough Council
	Hammersmith and Fulham LB
	Harborough District Council
	Haringey LB
	Harlow District Council
	Harrow LB
	Hart District Council
	Hartlepool Borough Council
	Havant Borough Council
	Havering LB
	Hertsmere Borough Council
	High Peak Borough Council
	Hillingdon LB
	Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council
	Horsham District Council
	Hounslow LB
	Huntingdonshire District Council
	Hyndburn Borough Council
	Ipswich Borough Council
	Isle of Wight Council
	Islington LB
	Kennet District Council
	Kerrier District Council
	Kings Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council
	Kingston-upon-Hull City Council
	Kingston-upon-Thames LB
	Kirklees MBC
	Knowsley MBC
	Lambeth LB
	Lancaster City Council
	Leeds City Council MBC
	Leicester City Council
	Lewisham LB
	Lichfield District Council
	Lincoln City Council
	Liverpool City Council
	London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
	Luton Borough Council
	Macclesfield Borough Council
	Maidstone Borough Council
	Maldon District Council
	Manchester City Council MBC
	Mansfield District Council
	Medway Borough Council
	Melton Borough Council
	Mendip District Council
	Merton LB
	Mid Bedfordshire District Council
	Mid Devon District Council
	Mid Suffolk District Council
	Mid Sussex District Council
	Milton Keynes Council
	Mole Valley District Council
	New Forest District Council
	Newark and Sherwood District Council
	Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council
	Newcastle-upon-Tyne City Council MBC
	Newham LB
	North Cornwall District Council
	North Devon District Council
	North Dorset District Council
	North East Derbyshire District Council
	North East Lincolnshire Council
	North Hertfordshire District Council
	North Lincolnshire Council
	North Norfolk District Council
	North Somerset Council
	North Warwickshire Borough Council
	North West Leicestershire District Council
	Northampton Borough Council
	Norwich City Council
	Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council
	Oadby and Wigston Borough Council
	Oldham MBC
	Oxford City Council
	Pendle Borough Council
	Penwith District Council
	Peterborough City Council
	Plymouth City Council
	Poole Borough Council
	Portsmouth City Council
	Preston Borough Council
	Purbeck District Council
	Redbridge LB
	Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
	Restormel Borough Council
	Ribble Valley Borough Council
	Richmond upon Thames LB
	Rochford District Council
	Rotherham MBC
	Rugby Borough Council
	Rushmoor Borough Council
	Rutland County Council
	Salford City Council MBC
	Salisbury District Council
	Sandwell MBC
	Sedgefield Borough Council
	Sedgemoor District Council
	Sefton MBC
	Selby District Council
	Sevenoaks District Council
	Sheffield City Council
	Shepway District Council
	Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council
	Slough Borough Council
	Solihull MBC
	South Bedfordshire District Council
	South Bucks District Council
	South Cambridgeshire District Council
	South Derbyshire District Council
	South Gloucestershire Council
	South Hams District Council
	South Holland District Council
	South Northamptonshire DistrictCouncil
	South Oxfordshire District Council
	South Ribble Borough Council
	South Shropshire District Council
	South Somerset District Council
	South Staffordshire Council
	South Tyneside MBC
	Southampton City Council
	Southend-on-Sea Borough Council
	Southwark LB
	Spelthorne Borough Council
	St. Albans City and District Council
	St. Edmundsbury Borough Council
	St. Helens MBC
	Stafford Borough Council
	Staffordshire Moorlands District Council
	Stevenage Borough Council
	Stockport MBC
	Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
	Stratford-on-Avon District Council
	Stroud District Council
	Suffolk Coastal District Council
	Sunderland City Council
	Surrey Heath Borough Council
	Sutton LB
	Swale Borough Council
	Tameside MBC
	Tamworth Borough Council
	Tandridge District Council
	Taunton Deane Borough Council
	Teignbridge District Council
	Telford and Wrekin Council
	Tendring District Council
	Test Valley Borough Council
	Tewkesbury Borough Council
	Three Rivers District Council
	Tonbridge and Mailing Borough Council
	Torbay Council
	Torridge District Council
	Tower Hamlets LB
	Trafford MBC
	Tunbridge Wells Borough Council
	Uttlesford District Council
	Vale of White Horse District Council
	Vale Royal Borough Council
	Walsall MBC
	Waltham Forest LB
	Wandsworth LB
	Warwick District Council
	Watford Borough Council
	Waverley Borough Council
	Wealden District Council
	Wellingborough Borough Council
	Welwyn Hatfield Council
	West Berkshire District Council
	West Devon Borough Council
	West Lancashire District Council
	West Lindsey District Council
	West Oxfordshire District Council
	West Somerset District Council
	West Wiltshire District Council
	Westminster City Council
	Weymouth and Portland Borough Council
	Wigan MBC
	Winchester City Council
	Windsor and Maidenhead Borough Council
	Wirral MBC
	Woking Borough Council
	Wokingham Council
	Wolverhampton MBC
	Worthing Borough Council
	Wychavon District Council
	Wycombe District Council
	Wyre Borough Council
	York City Council

Royal Botanic Gardens

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if the Quinquennial Review of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has been completed.

Elliot Morley: The review team completed Stage II of their Quinquennial Review of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew earlier this year.
	I am placing in the Library of the House a copy of the review team's Stage II report together with the Government's response to both Stages of the Review. The response has been agreed jointly with the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Rural Expenditure

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her answer of 21 October, reference 75837, on the Rural White Paper, if she will list the funding schemes administered by the (a) regional development agencies and (b) Countryside Agency on behalf of her Department; and if she will list the amount spent through each scheme.

Alun Michael: Following the commencement of the Regional Development Agencies single budget arrangements in April of this year they no longer run specific funding schemes on behalf of Departments.
	The Countryside Agency's main economic and community funding schemes, available for application by individuals or organisations, are as follows (with estimated programme spend this year):
	
		
			 Funding scheme # million 
		
		
			 Market Towns 2.49 
			 Vital Villages  
			 Parish Plans 1.35  
			 Community Service Grants 4.82 
			 Parish Transport Grants 4.24 
			   
			 Rural Transport Fund 10.11 
			 Aggregates Levy Sustainability Fund 4.8 
			 Local Heritage Initiative 1.68 
			 Support for Rights of Way 1.35 
			 Doorstep Greens 1.24 
			 Millennium Greens 0.44 
			 Walking the Way to Health 1.42

World Summit on Sustainable Development

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the outcome of the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development with particular regard to (a) the multinational targets agreed during the Summit and (b) the targets the European Union sought to negotiate at Johannesburg and to which the EU remains committed.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 22 October 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 17 October, Official Report, column 898W. In addition, the UK and EU pushed unsuccessfully for a numerical target in relation to natural resource loss.

TRANSPORT

10-year Plan

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much private investment has been (a) spent and (b) allocated for road building (i) under the 10 year plan to date, (ii) projected by 2004–05 and (iii) projected for the period of the 10 year plan (A) at today's prices and (B) at outturn cost.

David Jamieson: Tables a) and b) show the levels of private sector investment in strategic and local roads that were assumed in the XTen Year Plan". The local roads figures include investment in maintenance and street lighting, as well as road construction.
	
		a) Real 2001/02 Prices (# million) 
		
			  To end 2002—03 To end 2004—05 To end 2010—11 
		
		
			 Trunk roads 391 760 2,349 
			 Local roads 160 492 2,133 
			  
			 Total 551 1,252 4,482 
		
	
	
		b) Outturn Prices (# million) 
		
			  To end 2002–03 To end 2004–05 To end 2010–11 
		
		
			 Trunk roads 396 788 2,638 
			 Local roads 162 515 2,449 
			  
			 Total 558 1,03 5,087 
		
	
	To date, we estimate that the private sector has invested #320 million in the construction of trunk roads. This figure excludes the A13 DBFO contract, which was included in the XTen Year Plan" trunk road forecasts. The A13 was formerly a trunk road but was later transferred to Transport for London. There will be an estimated #150 million of private investment on the A13 to the end of December 2004. Since local highways authorities are responsible for procuring local roads, my Department does not hold information on private sector spending on these roads.

Air Transport (Consultation Document)

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list (a) the location of meetings he has organised during the consultation on The Future Development of Air Transport in the UK and (b) his criteria in choosing locations for the consultation.

David Jamieson: holding answer 24 October 2002
	During the consultation, the Department is conducting a programme of public exhibitions to provide information to people who would be affected by the major airport development options. The table lists the dates and locations of the public exhibitions.
	
		
			 Airport Date Location 
		
		
			 Stansted 30–31 August Stansted 
			 Cliffe (l) 5 and 7 September Chatham and Basildon 
			 Gatwick 14 September Gatwick 
			 Heathrow 20–21 September Heathrow 
			 Luton 27–28 September Harpenden 
			 Alconbury 3 October Huntingdon 
			 Cliffe (2) 4/5 October Cliffe and Hoo St Werburgh 
			 Glasgow 8 October Glasgow 
			 Edinburgh 9 October Edinburgh 
			 Manchester (1) 14 October Knutsford 
			 East Midlands 21 October East Midlands 
			 New Midlands Airport 30 October Church Lawford 
			 Birmingham 4 November Birmingham 
			 Newcastle 8 November Gosforth Park 
			 Manchester (2) 15 November Cheadle 
		
	
	The main criteria applied in identifying suitable venues are proximity to the airport option and affected areas, venue capacity, accessibility, and availability.

Bus and Coach Casualties

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the change in the number of injuries and fatalities in bus and coach transport between 1997 and 2001.

David Jamieson: The table shows the numbers of casualties by severity for bus or coach drivers and passengers between 1997 and 2001.
	Although total bus and coach occupant casualties in 2001 were 5 per cent. higher than in 1997, the number killed and seriously injured fell by 6 per cent. There has been little change in fatalities within the total.
	
		Bus and coach user casualties: 1997–2001
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Drivers  
			 Killed 2 1 0 1 4 
			 KSI(6) 75 69 67 51 64 
			 All severities 833 907 908 1,024 992 
			   
			 Passengers(7)  
			 Killed 12 17 11 14 10 
			 KSI 526 562 544 527 498 
			 All severities 8,606 8,932 9,344 9,064 8,892 
			   
			 All occupants(7)  
			 Killed 14 18 11 15 14 
			 KSI 601 631 611 578 562 
			 All severities 9,439 9,839 10,252 10,088 9,884 
		
	
	(6) Killed or seriously injured
	(7) Includes boarding and alighting

Competition Act

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the nature and investigation of each complaint that has been made against a railway business under the terms of the Competition Act 1998.

David Jamieson: Complaints concerning services relating to railways are a matter for the Rail Regulator exercising concurrent jurisdiction with the Director General of Fair Trading. Section 55 and schedule 11 of the Competition Act 1998 imposes a general restriction on disclosure of information. No information relating to the affairs of an individual, or any particular business or undertaking, can be disclosed during the individual's lifetime or while the business is carried on unless consent is obtained.

Concessionary Travel

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will introduce concessionary travel fares for people in rural areas attending training courses; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Concessionary travel, as it currently stands, contributes to social inclusion by making transport more affordable to older and disabled people, who are often on lower incomes. However, others who may be socially excluded might also benefit from cheaper bus fares, but cannot do so under the current arrangements. We are therefore considering, in the context of our review on bus subsidies, whether local authorities should have greater discretion to extend lower fares to other groups such as those who are seeking employment, or for people in full-time adult education. The review will report to Transport and Treasury Ministers in February 2003.

Consultancies

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list external (a) public relations/communications companies, (b) advertising and marketing companies, (c) management consultancies, (d) accountancy companies, (e) banking firms, (f) individual consultants and (g) other specialist consultancies used by his Department since June 2001; what actions those consultancies/companies have performed within his Department; and what costs have been incurred through use of these consultancies/companies.

John Spellar: The Department was formed on 29 May 2002 and the information requested since that date is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Expenditure on external consultants by the former DTLR is given in an answer by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Dr. Whitehead) on 15 April 2002, Official Report, column 736W.
	Expenditure on external consultants who dealt with press or public relations by the former DTLR is provided in an answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr. Leslie) on 19 June 2002, Official Report, column 412W.

Cycleways

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to extend the number of cycleways, especially in rural areas.

David Jamieson: The responsibility for providing cycling facilities rests with local traffic authorities.
	They have powers to provide cycle lanes on the carriageway and cycle tracks away from the road. It is for individual authorities to decide local priorities and allocate funding for schemes in rural areas.

Departmental Job Vacancies

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many job vacancies there were at (a) administrative assistant or equivalent, (b) administrative officer or equivalent, (c) administrative executive officer, (d) higher executive officer, (e) senior executive officer, (f) grade 7 principal and (g) positions above grade 7 level in his Department for jobs located in (i) London and (ii) the South East between 1 April 2001 and 31 March; and what is the total employment for each Civil Service grade.

David Jamieson: We do not have central records readily available for vacancy figures as at 1 April 2001. Vacancy figures detailed in the table are at 1 October 2001. Figures for the Department's agencies are not held centrally and therefore are not available.
	
		Table showing vacancy position in Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions as at 1 October 2001(8)
		
			 Responsibility level Vacancies (all London) Total staff 
		
		
			 Grade 6 and above 1 293 
			 Grade 7 24 631 
			 Senior Executive Officer 37 464 
			 Higher Executive Officer 56 880 
			 Executive Officer 73 950 
			 Administrative Officer 96 959 
			 Administrative Assistant 9 201 
			 Total non-industrial staff 296 4,380 
		
	
	(8) All vacancies are in the London region.

Drivers (Mobile Phones)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the Government's (a) policy and (b) advice on the use of hand-held mobiles while driving.

David Jamieson: The advice in Rule 127 of The Highway Code is never to use a hand-held mobile phone when driving. The Department's leaflet 'Mobile Phones and Driving' provides more detailed advice—the text is available on-line at Xwww.think.dft.gov.uk/mobile/index.htm". This advice has been supported by publicity campaigns.
	The Government is currently inviting comments on the possible introduction of a specific offence to prohibit the use of any hand-held mobile phone or similar device by drivers. The Department's consultation document is available on-line at Views are requested by 25 November.

East London Underground Line

Martin Linton: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to announce plans to extend the East London Underground Line to stations in south London.

John Spellar: As soon as we have taken a decision on the project.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list (a) the number of people employed, (b) the role and terms of reference and (c) the annual budget of (i) the Northern Lighthouse Board and (ii) the Commission for Integrated Transport for each year since 1997–98.

David Jamieson: The information is as follows: (i) The Northern Lighthouse Board
	
		(a) Number of people employed
		
			  1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 
		
		
			 Average number of employees (inc. part-time) 395 359 365 369 358 (9) 343 
			 Part-time 151 142 146 160 157 (9) 135 
		
	
	(9) Average for the year to 30 September 2002
	(b) The role of the Northern Lighthouse Board is to provide and maintain aids to navigation around the coastline of Scotland and the Isle of Man and to deliver a reliable and economical service that enables all classes of mariner to navigate safely within its area of responsibility.
	
		(c) Annual budget
		
			  # million 
		
		
			 1997–98 23,461 
			 1998–99 22,057 
			 1999–2000 28,185 
			 2000–01 22,930 
			 2001–02 24,210 
			 2002–03 22,140 
		
	
	(ii) The Commission for Integrated Transport
	The Commission for Integrated Transport was established in July 1999.
	
		(a) Number of people employed
		
			  1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 Board members 17 17 17 
			 Secretariat 6 7 10 
		
	
	(b) The role of the Commission for Integrated Transport is to provide independent advice to Government on the implementation of integrated transport policy, to monitor developments across transport, environment, health and other sectors and to review progress towards meeting the Government's objectives. Its remit includes:
	reviewing and monitoring progress towards objectives and targets set out in the Integrated Transport White Paper;
	continuing and refreshing the transport policy debate;
	fostering consensus among practical providers;
	identifying and disseminating examples of best practice from home and abroad;
	advising on developments in Europe, including relevant EU initiatives;
	advising on the role of existing and emerging technologies; reporting regularly on progress against the objectives and outcomes in the 10 Year Plan.
	
		(c) Annual budget
		
			  #000 
		
		
			 1999–2000 387 
			 2000–01 695 
			 2001–02 2,239

London-Ipswich Links

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will publish his response to the consultation process on the London to Ipswich Multi-Modal Study.

David Jamieson: The London to Ipswich Multi-Modal Study, as with all Multi-Modal Studies, has undertaken consultation exercises at various stages to ensure that the views of local public, businesses, environmental interests, transport users, operators and other regional interests are taken into account. The final report is due by the end of November 2002 and will include a section relating to communication and consultation undertaken as part of this study. We will announce our response to the Study after receiving views on it from the East of England Local Government Conference (RPB).

London-Ipswich Links

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received about upgrading the A12 between London and Ipswich.

David Jamieson: I have received no recent representations about upgrading the A12 between London and Ipswich. However, transport issues in this corridor are being studied in the London to Ipswich (LOIS) multi-modal study. The study final report will be published by the end of November 2002 and will set out proposals for improvements for all modes of transport in the A12 corridor.

Motorway Central Reservations

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has for planting foliage in central reservations of 10 metres or more on motorways.

David Jamieson: There are no plans for new planting on existing wide central reservations on the existing motorway network.

Motorway Central Reservations

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research has been commissioned on the effect of foliage in central reservations of motorways on driver psychology.

David Jamieson: No research has been commissioned by my Department into the effect of foliage in central reservations of motorways on driver psychology.

Motorway Central Reservations

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has commissioned research into the effect of planting foliage on the central reservations of motorways in other countries on (a) safety, (b) the environment and (c) tourism.

David Jamieson: No. A working group was set up in 1988–89 that examined the design options for central reservation policy. It took account of European practice at that time. It did not find any evidence of significant benefits for safety, the environment or tourism in the use of such planting.

Recruitment Advertising

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many non-devolved posts were advertised in the press in each year from June 1999; and what percentage of them were advertised in the Scottish press.

David Jamieson: Holding answer 24 October 2002
	My Department does not hold centrally, information on the coverage of the posts it has advertised. None of our advertisements have used Scottish press, except where the post is to be based in Scotland. All of our advertising media is chosen to achieve as broad a reach as possible, and includes UK wide newspapers and the web.

Regional Eurostar Rail Services

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will review the Government's assessment of the viability of regional Eurostar rail services following the responses received to his consultation on future aviation policy.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has a duty under S206(4) of the Transport Act 2000 to consider the introduction of regional Eurostar services. The SRA have said that they will soon publish a strategy relating to services in various parts of Great Britain for facilitating the carriage of passengers or goods by rail by way of the channel tunnel.

Road Safety

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what action he proposes to take to improve road safety in buses and coaches before 2004.

David Jamieson: Buses and coaches have consistently been one of the safest forms of passenger transport. Since 2001 we have introduced requirements to improve their very good safety record such as the fitment of anti lock braking systems, seat belts in coaches and improved designs of buses to cater for disabled passengers. In the longer term we are working with others to improve the European standard for the protection of coach passengers in the event of a roll over accident. The revised standard is not expected to be applied to new coaches until after 2004.

Road Schemes

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if he will list the new road schemes under consideration by his Department;
	(2)  if he will list the new road schemes which the Highways Agency has (a) agreed and (b) under consideration.

David Jamieson: The Highways Agency is progressing the 61 schemes in the Targeted Programme of Improvements (TPI) which are either under construction or proceeding through their remaining statutory procedures. A full list of schemes in the TPI has been placed in the Libraries of the House.
	Following decisions taken by Secretary of State on multi-modal or road-based studies, the Highways Agency has been tasked with taking forward further work on the following schemes, with a view to adding them to the TPI once a more detailed design has been agreed:
	A21 Tonbridge to Pembury online dualling;
	A21 Pembury—Hastings (selected improvements);
	Widening and partial realignment of the A14 between Huntingdon and Cambridge;
	M60/M67/A57 Denton Interchange Improvement;
	Dualling of the A66 between Scotch Corner and Penrith;
	A419 Commonhead Roundabout.
	I will place in the Libraries of the House a list of improvements currently under consideration that have been either formally recommended to us by multi modal studies or for which local authorities have made formal bids under the Local Transport Plan process.

South Coast Corridor Multi-modal Study

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport for what reason the Isle of Wight was excluded from the terms of reference of the south coast corridor multi-modal study.

David Jamieson: While not included in the study corridor identified in the 1998 White Paper XA New Deal for Trunk Roads in England" the Isle of Wight was included in the area of influence agreed by the study Steering Group for the south coast multi-modal study. Throughout the study steps were taken to ensure consultation with the wider reference group, this included representatives from the Isle of Wight.

Traffic Calming

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to issue guidance on the forms of traffic calming.

David Jamieson: The Department has issued and will continue to issue guidance in the form of Traffic Advisory Leaflets. These provide information on the design of traffic calming measures and their impact, including public attitudes to calming schemes.
	The Department intends to publish a Local Transport Note on traffic calming in 2003. This will draw together existing information and assist local authorities in the
	comparison of available measures.

Transport and Traffic Studies

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what (a) national and (b) regional transport and traffic studies have been undertaken since 1997 which include the Isle of Wight.

David Jamieson: . There have been a number of national and regional surveys and studies since 1997 which have included consideration of transport and traffic on or to the Isle of Wight. These include:
	South Coast Multi Modal Study
	M27 Corridor Integrated Transport Study
	Survey of bus passenger satisfaction
	International Road Haulage Survey
	PSV Annual Inquiry (bus and coach operators)
	Continuing Survey of Road Goods Vehicles
	National Road Maintenance Condition Survey (NRMCS)
	National Travel Survey
	The National Census
	Survey of taxis and private hire vehicles
	Ports Survey
	Traffic Census
	Review of UK Trust Ports

Trinity House and Strategic Rail Authority

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of the performance of (a) Trinity House Lighthouse Service and (b) the Strategic Rail Authority, including details of performance targets; what reports are published on their performance ; and if he will place copies of such reports in the Library;
	(2)  how many people are employed by (a) the Trinity House Lighthouse Service and (b) the Strategic Rail Authority; what their role and terms of reference are; what their annual budget was for each year since 1997–98; and what their projected budget is for 2002–03.

David Jamieson: The information is as follows:
	
		(a) Trinity House Lighthouse Service
		
			  Average number of employees (inc. part-time) Part-time 
		
		
			 1997–98 545 55 
			 1998–99 527 63 
			 1999–2000 466 13 
			 2000–01 450 15 
			 2001–02 439 16 
			 2002–03 (10) 436 (10) 16 
		
	
	(10) Average for the year to 30 September 2002
	The role of Trinity House Lighthouse Service is to provide and maintain aids to navigation around the coastline of England, Wales, the Channel Islands and Gibraltar and to deliver a reliable and economical service that enable all classes of mariner to navigate safely within its area of responsibility.
	The annual budget figures are given in the table:
	
		
			  # million 
		
		
			 1997–98 29,187 
			 1998–99 29,362 
			 1999–2000 28,587 
			 2000–01 30,364 
			 2001–02 30,203 
			 2002–03 31,998 
		
	
	Trinity House Lighthouse Service (THLS) measures the availability of the aids to navigation against the service standards set by the International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA). These performance indicators are set out in the Report and Accounts of the General Lighthouse Fund 2000–2001, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. They indicate that most aids to navigation provided by THLS exceed the IALA standards for availability for use.
	(b) Strategic Rail Authority
	On 31 March 2002, the Strategic Rail Authority employed 463 staff (including BRB (Residuary) Limited and Rail Passengers' Council staff, but excluding the British Transport Police). The Authority's purposes and strategies are set out in sections 205–209 of the Transport Act 2000, together with the manner in which the Authority is to exercise its functions. Directions and guidance under sections 206(3) and 207(5) of the 2000 Act were issued to the Authority on 26 September 2002.
	The Authority was established on 1 February 2001 with a budget of #329,555,000 for the last two months of 2000–01. Its budgets for 2001–02 and 2002–03 were, respectively, #1,796,749,000 and #2,149,998,000. The Authority's main predecessor body was the Office of Passenger Rail Franchising (OPRAF). The table shows OPRAFs annual budgets from 1997–98 onwards.
	
		
			  Cash prices (#) 
		
		
			 1997–98 1,516,385,000 
			 1998–99 1,254,889,000 
			 1999–2000 1,110,889,000 
			 2000–01 (11) 1,032,889,000 
		
	
	(11) Of the #1,032,889,000 total, #321,555,000 was used to help fund the SRA in February(March 2001.
	Details of the expenditure funded from those budgets are set out in OPRAF's and the Authority's annual reports and accounts.
	The Authority reports on progress against its objectives in its annual reports. Its most recent report, for 2001–02, was published and placed in the House Library in July 2002.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Access Radio

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what assistance the Government will give to Access Radio stations to set up; and whether they will be eligible for lottery funding;
	(2)  what controls will be placed on Access Radio stations to prevent competition with small local radio stations;
	(3)  what level of profit Access Radio stations will be permitted to make;
	(4)  what rules will govern the running of Access Radio stations.

Kim Howells: The Government announced in the Communications White Paper in December 2000 that they were considering establishing a new tier of access radio to allow the provision of very local and very niche services.
	It was agreed with the Radio Authority that it should pilot this idea and in August 2001 the Radio Authority invited 15 groups to participate in the pilot scheme during 2002. The purpose of the pilot scheme is to establish whether access radio is viable and how it might be licensed, regulated, funded, promoted and organised. The completed evaluation is expected to be published next spring. The Communications Bill, when enacted, will allow the Secretary of State to introduce access radio, and any decisions will be informed by the outcome of the current pilot study.
	If the Government decide to introduce access radio, it is anticipated that future access radio stations would:
	demonstrate evidence of social gain and/or public service aims;
	be small-scale neighbourhood schemes, or be designed to serve a community of interest;
	be funded either through non-commercial funding or by a mixture of commercial and non-commercial funding (for which limits may be specified);
	be not-for-profit or non-profit distributing;
	be ring-fenced in terms of ownership and operation from Independent Local Radio, and distinct from Independent Local Radio (ILR) (eg ILR licensees will be proscribed from equity participation to any extent in an Access Radio licensee); and
	provide opportunities to allow access among those within the target group to the operation of the service.
	In drawing up arrangement for licensing and regulating access radio stations, the Government and OFCOM will take full account of the possible impact of access radio on the local broadcasting ecology in each potential locality.
	The Government are considering the creating of an access radio fund which could support access radio stations. No decisions have yet been taken on such a fund. It will be for the lottery distributing bodies to decide whether access radio stations will be eligible for grants.

Bed and Breakfast Accommodation

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with those organisations that certify the standards of bed and breakfast accommodation with the aim of trying to get agreed standards.

Kim Howells: I have had no such discussions. The standards are already agreed and widely publicised but I am considering commissioning a review of the way they are working in the near future.

Departmental Job Vacancies

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many job vacancies there were at (a) administrative assistant or equivalent, (b) administrative officer or equivalent, (c) administrative executive officer, (d) higher executive officer, (e) senior executive officer, (f) grade 7 principal and (g) positions above grade 7 level in her Department for jobs located in (i) London and (ii) the south east between 1 April 2001 and 31 March; and what is the total employment for each civil service grade.

Kim Howells: The number of vacancies in the Department, and total number of staff by grade are set out in the table:
	
		Position as at 1 April 2001
		
			  London region South-east region  
			 Grade Vacancies Total staff Vacancies Total staff 
		
		
			 Grade 6 and above 0 32 0 0 
			 Grade 7 7 63 0 1 
			 HEO/SEO 12 125 0 0 
			 EO 11 88 0 0 
			 AO 4 78 0 0 
			 AA 0 16 0 0

Football Transfers

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent discussions she has had with the Football League and National Conference League on the subject of transfers.

Richard Caborn: My Department has remained in close touch with the football authorities since the announcement of agreement on the principles of the new international transfer system, made between the sport and the European Commission in March 2001. Officials have recently discussed the Football League's proposals for exemption from the transfer window framework.

Gatekeeper's Room, Marble Arch

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what use is made of the former Gatekeeper's Room in Marble Arch.

Kim Howells: English Heritage currently open the large room in Marble Arch to the public for guided tours during the annual London Open House weekend, when interpretive material is provided by the Public Monuments and Sculpture Association. Access difficulties limit the possibilities for greater use of the rooms in the arch.

Licensing

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the cost associated with her proposal to transfer licensing responsibilities from magistrates to local authorities.

Kim Howells: The transfer of licensing responsibilities from magistrates to local authorities would be cost neutral. The licensing justices currently recover the costs of licensing by means of fees. Following transfer, licensing fees would be set centrally at a level that fully recovers the costs to local authorities of administering and enforcing the new licensing system.

Playing Fields

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what targets for numbers of schemes and finance to be allocated have been agreed between the New Opportunity Fund and Sport England for the Playing Fields and Community Green Spaces Programme, with the purpose of (a) preserving playing fields and open spaces, (b) purchasing new playing fields, (c) bringing disused playing fields back into use and (d) improving the condition of playing fields.

Richard Caborn: The Playing Fields and Community Green Spaces Programme run by Sport England under the New Opportunities Fund Green Spaces and Sustainable Communities programme, is split into two main strands: playing fields and playing pitch strategies, and playgrounds and community play areas.
	The playing fields and playing pitch strategies element of the programme has a target spend of #20,404,890. This consists of #19,636,768 for development of new,under threat or disused playing fields, and pitch improvements; and #768,122 for playing pitch strategies.
	The target agreed with Sport England for development of new, under threat or disused playing fields is 85 fields. The target agreed with Sport England for pitch improvements is 106 pitches.

Playing Fields

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what changes have been made to the agreements made at the beginning of the programme between New Opportunity Fund and Sport England for the Playing Fields and Community Green Spaces Programme.

Richard Caborn: No changes have been made since the start of the programme.

Racism in Sport

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions her Department has had with football authorities and the Department for Education and Skills about raising awareness in schools of racism in sport, with particular reference to football; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: My Department supports the work of Kick it Out and Show Racism the Red Card, which co-ordinate anti-racism work in football. Both bodies are co-sponsored by the Football Foundation, through which public funding for the sport is channelled. The Department for Education and Skills has worked closely with the two organisations on anti-racist educational resources, including a CD-Rom developed by Show Racism the Red Card which is designed to be compatible with the citizenship module of the national curriculum.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Census

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to use his statutory powers to open the records relating to the 1911 Census in England and Wales.

Rosie Winterton: There are no plans to release the 1911 Census at this time. Decennial Census returns held by the PRO care closed for 100 years under Section 5(1) of the Public Records Act through Lord Chancellor's Instrument 1958 (No. 12 dated 1966). This is the general closure period which applies to census returns.

Census Website

Edward Davey: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many people have visited the 1901 Census website since its relaunch; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The 1901 Census website went back online as a test site on 27 August 2002. up to 21 October over 1.4 million people have visited the site. They have conducted 14 million searches and downloaded 600,000 images of the census pages.

Consultancies

David Davis: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will list external (a) public relations/communications companies, (b) advertising and marketing companies, (c) management consultancies, (d) accountancy companies, (e) banking firms, (f) individual consultants and (g) other specialist consultancies used by her Department since June 2001; what actions those consultancies/companies have performed within her Department; and what costs have been incurred through use of these consultancies/companies.

Yvette Cooper: The Department's use of external companies/consultancies, in the categories requested and between 1 June 2001 to 31 August 2002, was as follows:
	
		
			 Companies/consultancies used between June 2001 and August 2002 Net expenditure with companies/consultancies listed and services performed 
		
		
			 (a) Public relations/communications companies Public Relations/Communications Services: #0.007 million  
			 Analogue Gyrographic Communications Ltd. Design of a website and design of an annual report 
			  
			 (b) Advertising and marketing companies Advertising and marketing services: Nil expenditure  
			 None  
			  
			 (c) Management consultancies and specialist consultancies(12) Management and specialist consultancy services: #7.36 million(13)  
			 PA Consulting Group 
			 CMG UK Ltd. 
			 ASE Consulting 
			 AMTEC 
			 Banner McBride 
			 C. International Ltd. 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers 
			 Stanton Marris Ltd. 
			 PKF 
			 Metropolitan Investigations 
			 Acrobat 
			 Butcher Doulton Communications 
			 BDO Stoy Hayward 
			 Arthur D. Little 
			 Parity Penna 
			 Inform Consulting 
			 Insight Consulting Ltd. 
			 Suffolk CCWS 
			 TSO Consulting 
			 BMI Health Services 
			 Yale Consulting 
			 Deloitte Consulting 
			 Paver Downes 
			 WS Atkins Planning and Management Consultants Ltd. 
			 Wheelers 
			 CESG 
			 VP Treen 
			 Mc Bains Cooper 
			 R. Verney 
			 Team Management Systems 
			 Lombard Street 
			 Cornwall Associates 
			 ORC International 
			 DBi Consulting Ltd. 
			 Gartner 
			 Solving AEM Ltd. 
			 Improcom Ltd. 
			 Ward Dutton 
			 BMRB 
			 Ionnan 
			 Kelly Services 
			 SchlumbergerSema 
			 CMC 
			 Hays Consultancy and Solutions Provision of expert professional advice and support on specific, time-limited tasks, usually in connection with projects, but sometimes in support of the on-going operation of the Department. Services performed include customer and market surveys, risk assessments, provision of technical advice (eg on IT security, health and safety), undertaking specific studies and reviews and supporting the implementation of major projects and programmes. The current level of expenditure reflects the wide-ranging and fast-paced programme to modernise the courts and the tribunal system to increase efficiency, provide better customer service, and value for money for the tax payer. Delivering such a programme has necessitated the use of external expertise and skills to supplement the Department's own resources.  
			  
			 (d) Accountancy companies Accountancy services #0.29 million 
			 Kidsons 
			 Deloitte Consulting 
			 PKF 
			 SD Partners Ltd. General accountancy advice and advice on pension arrangements  
			 (e) Banking firms Banking services: Nil expenditure 
			 None  
			  
			 (h) Individual consultants(14) (15)— 
			  
			 (i) Other specialist consultancies(15) (15)— 
		
	
	(12) Management and specialist consultancies are listed together as many consultancies provide both types of service.
	(13) #0.34 million of the #7.36 million was with individual consultants.
	(14) In addition to the management and specialist consultancy companies listed, 33 individual consultants were used.
	(15) See (c).

Correspondence

Ian Lucas: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Wrexham of 8 August, in respect of Mr. and Mrs. Jones.

Yvette Cooper: The letter of 8 August on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Jones was passed to the Chief Executive of the Court Service for reply as he had already been dealing with the issues involved. He replied to the letter on 24 October.
	Further to this matter I have written to my hon. Friend today.

Correspondence

Ian Lucas: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will instruct the chief Executive of the Court Service to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Wrexham of 8 August.

Yvette Cooper: The Chief Executive of the Court Service replied to the letter of my hon. Friend the Member for Wrexham of 8 August on 24 October.

Departmental Job Vacancies

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many job vacancies there were at (a) administrative assistant or equivalent, (b) administrative officer or equivalent, (c) administrative executive officer, (d) higher executive officer, (e) senior executive officer, (f) grade 7 principal and (g) all positions above grade 7 level in her Department for jobs located in (i) London and (ii) the south east between 1 April 2001 and 31 March; and what is the total employment for each civil service grade.

Rosie Winterton: The following table provides the information requested.
	
		
			 Grade SIP London SIPSE Vacancies London Vacancies SE 
		
		
			 AA 720 339 131 132 
			 AO 1,389 632 327 61 
			 EO 1,376 268 272 38 
			 HEO 643 88 173 14 
			 SEO 339 23 88 3 
			 Grade 7 306 3 64 0 
			 Grade 6 and above 173 6 29 0 
			  
			 Total 4,946 1,359 1,084 248

Election Dates

Tom Watson: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if the Lord Chancellor will estimate the saving to public funds of holding the next European elections and local elections on the same day; and if she will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: We have made some broad estimates of the likely costs of holding the European parliamentary and local elections on the same weekday in 2004. These suggest that savings may be in the region of #20 million which would represent a saving approaching 25 per cent. compared with the cost of holding these elections on separate days.

Appeals Tribunals

David Drew: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will make a statement on her Department's policy on regional appeals tribunals.

Rosie Winterton: Pensions Appeals Tribunals currently have four permanent regional hearing centres and access to an additional four. Hearings are listed according to the hearing centre identified as most local to an appellant. Appellants are given the opportunity to request for hearings to be held at an alternative centre.

PRIME MINISTER

Energy Policy

Gregory Barker: To ask the Prime Minister when he intends to respond to the recommendation in the PIU Energy Review that departmental responsibility for energy efficiency and CHP policy be located with other aspects of energy policy.

Tony Blair: The PIU recommended that the Government should consider whether responsibility for energy efficiency and CHP policy be located with other aspects of energy policy by the end of 2003. The Government will consider the options in the context of its current review of energy policy, which will lead to a White Paper in the new year.

Foot and Mouth

George Osborne: To ask the Prime Minister what his role is in relation to authorisation of the use of the armed forces in the event of outbreaks of foot and mouth disease.

Tony Blair: Decisions in relation to the deployment of the armed forces would be taken in the normal way. Lead responsibility for dealing with an outbreak of foot and mouth disease remains with DEFRA, and the procedures for involving the armed forces are clearly stated in the Interim Foot and Mouth Disease Contingency Plan.
	Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat also have a key role in securing a Government-wide co-ordinated response should a disease emergency occur. This is also outlined in the Interim FMD Contingency Plan.

Hawk Jets

Llew Smith: To ask the Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with his Indian counterpart in respect of the sale of Hawk jets to India.

Tony Blair: I last met the Indian Prime Minister on 12 October 2002. We discussed a wide range of issues of mutual interest. These covered a number of defence and security matters, including defence export opportunities. The Government continue to support the proposals that BAE Systems has made for the supply of Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft to India.

Iraq

Andrew George: To ask the Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with President Bush about the desirability of obtaining explicit UN approval for military action against Iraq.

Tony Blair: I regularly discuss all aspects of Iraq policy with President Bush. My position on the UN is as I set out in the answer I gave the hon. Member for St. Ives in the House on 23 October 2002.

Men's Issues

David Amess: To ask the Prime Minister if he will establish the post of a Minister for men's issues.

Tony Blair: I have no plans to do so.

Official Histories

Keith Simpson: To ask the Prime Minister how many Government sponsored official histories are in preparation; when each was commissioned; who the authors are; what the estimated dates of completion are; and what the estimated cost in each case is.

Tony Blair: The original programme of official histories commissioned by the War Cabinet, and covering military and civil histories of the second world war, was extended in 1966 by the then Prime Minister to include selected periods or episodes of peacetime history. The following are currently in preparation:
	
		
			 Title Author Date commissioned Estimated publication date 
		
		
			 Falklands Campaign Professor Lawrence Freedman 1997 2003 
			 The Official Biography of Desmond Morton Mrs Gill Bennett 2002 2004 
			 The Development of North Sea Oil and Gas Professor Alexander Kemp 1999 2005 
			 Channel Tunnel Dr. Terence Gourvish 2001 2005 
			 UK Accession to the EEC vol 2 Professor Alan Milward 1997 2006 
			 The Civil Service since Fulton Professor Rodney Lowe 2002 2008 
			 SOE in France (revised edition) Professor M R D Foot 2000 2003 
			 Secret Flotillas (revised edition) Sir Brooks Richards 2000 2003 
			 From Defence by Committee to Defence by Ministry Professor Donald Cameron Watt 1974 2004 
			 External Economic Policy since the War vol 2 Professor Leslie Pressnell 1974 2004 
			 SOE in Italy Christopher Woods 1989 2004 
			 SOE in Greece Professor Richard Clogg 1984 2004 
		
	
	In the financial year 2000–01 the cost of running the official history programme was #147,000. This includes fees and expenses of historians and research assistants, costs associated with publication and staff costs of Cabinet Office administrative support. However, it excludes accommodation related overheads. In the case of the SOE histories, no fee is paid for the authors' work. Instead they seek recompense through royalties from their publishers.

SCOTLAND

Departmental Job Vacancies

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many job vacancies there were at (a) administrative assistant or equivalent, (b) administrative officer or equivalent, (c) administrative executive officer, (d) higher executive officer, (e) senior executive officer, (f) grade 7 principal and (g) all positions above grade 7 level in her Department for jobs located in (i) London and (ii) the South East between 1 April 2001 and 31March; and what is the total employment for each civil service grade.

Helen Liddell: My Department has a number of staff located in London. The following table provides a breakdown of staff numbers and vacancies between 1 April 2001 and 31 March 2002.
	
		London region
		
			 Responsibility level Vacancies Total staff 
		
		
			 G6 and above — 5 
			 G7 — 3 
			 SEO — — 
			 HEO — 3 
			 EO — 9 
			 AO 5 12 
			 AA — 4 
			 Other 0 0 
			  
			 Total 5 36

TREASURY

UK Property Prices

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effect of recent changes in UK property prices on his fiscal policy.

Ruth Kelly: Consistent with the Code for Fiscal Stability, an interim update of the public finance projections will be published in the forthcoming pre-Budget report.

Biofuels

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the value of biofuels for road transport in contributing to achieving his environmental and rural development goals;
	(2)  what representations he has received about further reductions in the rates of duty on biodiesel and biomethanol; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what discussions he has had with the EU over reduced rates of duty for road gas fuels and hydrogen as a road fuel; and what plans he has for similar discussions to reduce the rates for biomethanol.

John Healey: holding answers 21 October 2002
	Ministers and officials have had a number of discussions with the European Commission and other member states about road fuel duties.
	The former Department for Environment, Transport and Local Government published an environmental appraisal of the green fuels originally submitted in response to the Chancellor's Green Fuel Challenge in March 2001. This set out the Government's views on different alternative fuels. In addition, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has commissioned an assessment from Sheffield Hallam University on biodiesel. This is an independent evaluation of comparative energy, environmental and social costs and benefits of biodiesel. The results of this study are expected to be published later this year.
	We have received a number of representations about fuel duty rates. Decisions on duty rates are taken by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, at Budget time.

Child Tax Credit

Vera Baird: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of (a) families with children and (b) lone parents who will have relevant incomes as defined under section 7 of the Tax Credits Act 2002 of less than #13,230 a year for the purpose of calculating entitlement to child tax credit.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of families with children expected to benefit from the child tax credit with relevant incomes as defined under section 7 of the Tax Credits Act 2002 of less than #13,230 a year is estimated as 2.4 million.

Child Tax Credit

Vera Baird: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) families with children and (b) one-parent families will be eligible for the maximum rate of child tax credit.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of families with children expected to benefit from the maximum rate of child tax credit is estimated as 2.55 million.

Confederacion Espanola de Caja Ahorros

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints the Financial Services Authority and the Bank of England have received about the Confederacion Española de Caja Ahorros in each of the last 10 years.

Ruth Kelly: Complaints resolution between financial firms and their customers is not a function carried out by the Financial Services Authority. In any case, disclosure of the information sought is prevented by section 348 of the Financial Services and Markets Act (2000).

Customs and Excise

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will place a progress report on the Customs and Excise electronic self-service facilities for current internal based administrative processes in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: As part of their e-Business programme to modernise the way the Department delivers its business, Customs are in the process of procuring a commercial off-the-shelf HR package to deliver electronic self-service facilities for their current HR administrative processes.
	The Proof of Concept (PoC) phase of the procurement exercise started on 2 September 2002 and will last for three months. This will ensure that the proposed system will meet their HR requirements.
	If the outcome is successful, Customs expect to award contracts in early 2003 when an Office of Government Commerce Gateway Review to confirm the investment decision is also planned. Subject to this, the first phase of development can then commence. Implementation is likely to take a minimum of two years.

Departmental Job Vacancies

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many job vacancies there were at (a) administrative assistant or equivalent, (b) administrative officer or equivalent, (c) administrative executive officer, (d) higher executive officer, (e) senior executive officer, (f) grade 7 principal and (g) all positions above grade 7 level in his Department for jobs located in (i) London and (ii) the South east between 1 April 2001 and 31 March; and what is the total employment for each civil service grade.

Ruth Kelly: The information on the number of vacancies as at 1 April 2001 is unavailable. The information on total employment as at 1 April 2001 in HM Treasury is shown in the table:
	
		Position as at 1 April 2001 in HM Treasury(London region
		
			  Total 
		
		
			 Non-industrial staff at grade 6 and above 67.7 
			 Range E (equivalent to grade 7) 230.7 
			 Range D (equivalent to HEO/SEO level) 277.1 
			 Range C (equivalent to EO level) 111.0 
			 Range B (equivalent to AO level) 150.6 
			 Range A (equivalent to AA level) 37.9 
			  
			 Total staff as at 1 April 2001 875.0

Digicerts

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  whether the use of Digicerts supplied by Equifax to UK firms must comply with USA export law and regulations, with particular reference to those imposing trade sanctions on other countries;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the legal liability of those using Digicerts;
	(3)  whether the Government have carried out an audit of Equifax data systems;
	(4)  if he will make a statement on the award of the contract to Equifax as a supplier of Digital certificates;
	(5)  what representations he has received concerning the New Export System for non-European Community exports;
	(6)  what assessment he has made of the application of the provisions of the Data Protection Act 1998 to information supplied under the New Export System; and what assessment he has made of the compliance of the Equifax digital application procedure with the Act;
	(7)  what agreements must be entered into by those applying for Digicerts from Equifax and whether (a) UK and (b) US law governs the use of Digicerts supplied to UK companies by Equifax;
	(8)  whether (a) individuals and (b) organisations may apply for Digicerts;
	(9)  whether Digicerts supplied to UK companies by Equifax can be used in the course of exports to (a) Cuba and (b) Iran;
	(10)  what information must be supplied by applicants for Digicerts; and what protection is given concerning the use of such information;
	(11)  what assessment he has made of the role of Digital Certificates in the new export system; and if he will list Government approved Digicert-issuing bodies.

John Healey: Customs and Excise's New Export System (NES) went live at all Maritime and Inland locations (including Inland Clearance Depots) throughout the UK on 27 October 2002. NES is an electronic-based system which enables exporters and agents to send their export declarations to Customs electronically.
	It replaces the current paper-based system, facilitates legitimate trade and helps combat VAT and Excise fraud. NES provides a number of tailored models and procedures to meet the needs of different trade sectors. It will allow Customs to target their controls more effectively and therefore minimise disruption to legitimate trade; and there will be a reduction in the time it takes to process an export declaration.
	The legal basis for the information supplied by exporters and their agents under NES is the Community Customs Code (Council Regulation (EEC) 2913/92) and the Implementing Regulation (Commission Regulation (EEC) 2454/93). Article 15 of the Community Customs Code imposes an obligation of privacy on customs authorities. NES complies with the Data Protection Act (DPA) 1998.
	The Paymaster General received one representation on NES from the British International Freight Association (BIFA) on 20 December last year, to which the Financial Secretary replied on 24 January 2002.
	To operate the New Export System electronically a digital certificate may be required. Either an individual or an organisation may apply for a digital certificate.Customs require Level 2 Security to meet authentication and non-repudiation requirements for all non-European Community declarations made via the world wide web to their export declaration processing system.
	The policy of the e-Envoy's Office is that Level 2 security requirements should be met by use of digital certificates. Customs have adopted the e-Envoy's Office's policy for Level 2. Agreements concerning digital certificates are a contractual matter between the issuer and applicant; the Electronic Communications Act 2000 and the EU Electronic Signatures Directive determine the general legal admissibility of digital certificates.
	The Government do not approve or carry out audits of digital certificate providers, but it encourages them to seek approval from tScheme, a voluntary, not-for-profit, industry-led body or an equivalent approval scheme. Equifax is one of several digital certificate suppliers undergoing tScheme accreditation. tScheme is the organisation set up to create strict service criteria and to approve electronic trust services, including qualified certificate services. Any digital certificate provider that meets the tScheme requirements and is technically compatible is able to supply digital certificates that can be used with the Government Gateway. Other providers are ChamberSign and BT Trust Services (available from mid-November 2002).
	The only contract between these digital certificate providers and the UK Government are a standard Xrelying party agreement". This contract ensures that each provider supplies up-to-date lists of all digital certificate holders so that the UK Government can verify their identities when transacting through the Government Gateway.
	The information supplied by applicants will depend on the certificate issuer and the intended use of the certificate. Any personal information provided and not intended for public access is covered by the DPA. It is not the Government's role to make assessments on the compliance of certificate issuers with the DPA but they are bound by its requirements.
	Whether or not a digital certificate complies with US export laws is a matter for the firm and the issuer of the certificate, not the UK Government. The certificate policy should make clear the extent of any liability of the certificate issuer to the certificate relying party. This is a matter for the certificate issuer and the applicant.

Estate Sales

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what capital has been realised by the sale of the estates of each of HM Treasury and its agencies since 1997 and what is the estimated value of what remains.

Dawn Primarolo: Proceeds from estate sales for April 1996 to March 2002 amount to #165,954,000. These sales relate solely to the Office of Government Commerce. The estimated value of remaining property is #107,098,000.

Foot and Mouth Relief

David Drew: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what discussions he has had with the Treasury over the impact of the taxation of foot and mouth relief for small businesses, with particular reference to those involved in tourism.

Dawn Primarolo: Both the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise Departments continue to provide help and support, on a case by case basis, to those businesses and individuals who still face financial difficulty because of the foot and mouth outbreak. The Revenue Departments have helped over 27,000 businesses by agreeing to defer over #264 million in tax, national insurance contributions and VAT.

Individual Tax Codes

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the Inland Revenue in determining an individual's tax code; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Under Pay As You Earn a code number is used to ensure that about the right amount of tax is deducted from pay according to an individual's known circumstances. And, at the end of the year, the Inland Revenue checks to see that the correct amount of tax has been paid. The Inland Revenue issues approximately 26 million notices of coding every year and each is based on the latest information available.
	The Inland Revenue computer systems automatically determine a code number for each taxpayer prior to the start of each tax year. During the tax year, some code numbers are revised by staff on receipt of information from a taxpayer or employer. The Inland Revenue undertakes annual reviews to monitor the accuracy of work in the Department. This shows that coding accuracy in 2001–02 was 94 per cent.

Life Insurance

Jim Cousins: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the value of the tax exemption on the cost of charges and commissions included in life insurance products in the last 12 months.

Ruth Kelly: I regret the information is not available.

Money Laundering

Harry Cohen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what amendments are being proposed to the EU Directive on money laundering which allowed prior notification to the legal representatives of suspects; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The Second EC Money Laundering Directive was agreed in December 2001 and is not subject to amendment.

Network Rail

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Office for National Statistics will publish its joint letter with the National Audit Office concerning the accounting treatment of Network Rail; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from L. Cook to Mr. M. Taylor, dated 28 October 2002
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on when the Office for National Statistics will publish its joint letter with the National Audit Office concerning the accounting treatment of Network rail. (74769)
	The Office for National Statistics made its joint statement with the National Audit Office concerning the accounting treatment of Network Rail on Thursday the 24 October. I am enclosing a copy of this statement, and shall also be placing a copy in the House of Commons Library. The statement is also available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/pdfdir/networkl002.pdf and on the National Audit Office website at: http://www.nao.gov.uk/pn/01–02/nao—ons.htm.

Pensions

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to hold an investigation into the erroneous figures on the value of United Kingdom pension contributions which have been published by the Office for National Statistics over the last four years; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The answer requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. David Laws, dated 28 October 2002
	.
	I commissioned a Review of ONS Pension Contribution Statistics on the 2 July of this year. The Terms of Reference of this Review were set out in a Press Notice (copy attached).
	The review panel included senior statisticians from ONS, Inland Revenue, Department of Work and Pensions and the Government Actuaries Department, supported by experts from the Association of British Insurers and from the University sector. The panel produced a report which I published on 10th October. (I attach a copy of the Press Notice that accompanied the publication of the review).
	I am currently drawing up an implementation plan, based on the review recommendations, and I expect to announce the details of that before the end of November. I will steer that programme of work drawing on the same sorts of expertise that contributed to the review.

Pensions (Tax Relief)

Steve Webb: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the marginal rate of tax at which all contributors' pension contributions could be allowed if (a) all contributions were to be allowed at a single rate and (b) the cost were the same as that of the present system of tax reliefs.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of the cost of reliefs under the current system are given in table 7.9 of Inland Revenue Statistics. The latest version is on the Inland Revenue website; http://www.inlandrevenue.gov.Uk/stats/pensions/p t09 l.htm
	They are subject to a wide margin of error and are not indicative of the effects of changing the system, as there would be significant changes in taxpayers' behaviour.

Population Estimates

Ian Lucas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will publish a list of local authorities in England and Wales ranked by the difference between the Office of National Statistics mid-2000 Population Estimates and the 2001 census (a) in absolute terms and (b) as a percentage.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from L. Cook to Mr. Ian Lucas, dated 28 October 2002
	As National Statistician and Registrar General for England and Wales I have been asked to reply to your recent question to the Chancellor of the Exchequer asking for a list of local authorities in England and Wales ranked by the difference between the Office for National Statistics mid-2000 Population Estimates and the 2001 Census (a) in absolute terms and (b) as a percentage. (76619)
	The attached tables supply the information you have requested. I will be placing copies in the House of Commons Library. The current estimates for the years 1982–2000 are based on the 1981 Census figures, rolled forward, and will be shortly revised to take account of the results of the 2001 Census and an assessment of the cumulative errors that have built up in the mid-year estimates. Final revised Mid Year Estimates for 1991–2000 will be released on 13 February and for 1982–1990 at a later date.
	In order to assist users in interpreting changes over time, ONS have issued a set of interim revised national estimates for the period 1982–2000. At the national level, for example, the previous mid-year estimate for population of England and Wales for 2000, of 52,943 thousand has now been accordingly revised to 51,913 thousand.

Red Diesel

Angela Browning: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the rates of duty in each EU member state in respect of red diesel.

John Healey: XRed diesel" is gas oil which has been marked with a red dye and a tracer chemical making it eligible for a rebated rate of excise duty. The effective duty rate in the UK is currently 3.13 pence per litre. This rebate is specific to the UK. While many other EU member states operate rebate schemes that are similar to the UK's, they are applied in very different ways so no direct comparison is possible.

Split Capital Trusts

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the actions taken by the Financial Services Authority to address investor concerns about the fall in value of the Split Capital Trust market in the UK over the last two years.

Ruth Kelly: The Financial Services Authority issued a discussion paper on the split capital investment trust market in December 2001. The results of this discussion paper were published in May 2002. Since then the FSA have been investigating past problems, including possible problems with marketing literature, possible mis-selling and alleged collusive behaviour by some managers of split capital trusts. Looking forward, they have been considering if any changes are needed to the rules of their regulatory handbook or the listing rules. They have also been liaising with the Association of Investment Trusts on their proposals for improved disclosure of the portfolios and borrowings of split capital trusts.

Split Capital Trusts

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what (a) oral and (b) written communications took place between the Financial Services Authority in the UK and the Guernsey Financial Services Commission between 1st December 2000 and 30th April 2002 on the subject of the (i) risk characteristics and (ii) disclosure and regulation relating to Split Capital Trusts; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: In the course of its duties the FSA liaises regularly with other financial regulators about issues of mutual interest. The details of these discussions is a matter for the FSA itself.

Tax Self-Assessment

Simon Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he has taken to ensure that the on-line tax self-assessment service complies with the requirements of the Welsh Language Board.

Dawn Primarolo: There is no facility at present to enable self-assessment tax returns to be filed on-line in Welsh. The Inland Revenue's aim is to have an on-line filing service available in Welsh and is currently working towards this end.
	The Welsh Language Board are aware of the situation, have accepted the current position and accepted the Inland Revenue's plan to make this service available.

Tax Self-Assessment

Simon Thomas: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of the on-line tax self-assessment material is not available in Welsh; and what proportion of this is available in Welsh in another form.

Dawn Primarolo: There is no on-line tax self-assessment material available in Welsh. 100 per cent. of tax self assessment material is available in Welsh in paper format or electronically via the Welsh language pages on the Inland Revenue's website. The electronic material can be downloaded, printed and completed manually by individuals.

VAT Inspections

Brian Cotter: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints his Department has received in each of the last five years relating to VAT inspection.

John Healey: Where available, relevant statistics in relation to their complaints procedures will be published in HM Customs and Excise's Annual report, which is due for publication later this Autumn.

Working Tax Credit

Vera Baird: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of (a) families with children and (b) lone parents who will be eligible for working tax credit and will have relevant incomes as defined under section 7 of the Tax Credits Act 2002 of less than #5,060 a year for the purpose of calculating entitlement.

Dawn Primarolo: The number of families with children expected to benefit from the working tax credit and to have relevant incomes as defined under section 7 of the Tax Credits Act 2002 of less than #5,060 for the purpose of calculating their tax credit entitlement is estimated to be 350,000.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Violent Crime

Jonathan Djanogly: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many violent crimes were recorded in Cambridgeshire in each of the last three years.

John Denham: Violent crime is comprised of offences of violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery. The requested figures are given in the table.
	
		Violent crime in Cambridgeshire
		
			 Year ending March Number of recorded violent crimes 
		
		
			 1999–2000 7,056 
			 2000–01 7,419 
			 2001–02 8,584 
		
	
	It should be noted that recorded violent crime is not necessarily an accurate guide to trends in violent crime, as it is subject to changes in reporting and recording. For example, in the British Crime Survey, for England and Wales as a whole, the number of common assaults showed a statistically significant decrease of 24 per cent. between 1999 and interviews during 2001–02, whereas common assaults recorded by the police in England and Wales increased by 15 per cent. over the same period.

Air Weapons

Joyce Quin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his policy on the acquisition and possession of air weapons.

Bob Ainsworth: The Government are very well aware of, and take very seriously, the damage which can result from the misuse of air weapons. We are looking at a number of options for dealing with the problem of air weapon misuse including a change in the age limits at which air weapons may be acquired and possessed. We will bring forward proposals shortly on measures to tackle this problem.

Alcohol (Young People)

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the powers of the police to confiscate drink in the possession of young people.

Bob Ainsworth: The police have powers to confiscate alcohol from under-age drinkers in public places (Confiscation of Alcohol (Young Persons) Act 1997). Section 29 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 further clarified the confiscation powers. This enables the police to deal with situations where young people's drinking is causing a nuisance to others or may lead to bad behaviour. We have taken careful note of representations from the police to increase the confiscation powers to include sealed containers, and we intend to bring forward amendments to do this when parliamentary time allows.

Alcohol (Young People)

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to his answer of 19 September 2002, Official Report, columns 74–75W, when he will introduce legislation to amend the regulation issued under section 13 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 in respect of the confiscation of alcohol from under-age drinkers in public places.

John Denham: The regulations made under section 13 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 are The Local Authorities (Alcohol Consumption in Designated Public Places) Regulations 2001. These set out the procedures to be followed by local authorities, relating to consultation and publicity, before making an order identifying a public place for the purposes of restricting anti-social public drinking. The regulations do not cover police powers to confiscate alcohol, and we have no plans to change them.
	We are considering representations from the police and others about existing police powers to confiscate alcohol and we will introduce any changes in the law that may be necessary as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what evidence he has collated on the effectiveness of (a) anti-social behaviour orders and (b) acceptable behaviour contracts;
	(2)  what measures the Government are using to encourage greater use of anti-social behaviour orders and acceptable behaviour contracts in Wales.

John Denham: A major Home Office review of all aspects of the use of anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) was published in April 2002. The review found that ASBOs were being used successfully to reduce many different types of anti-social behaviour, although there were some areas in which the orders were not being applied for. In response to these findings we brought forward a wide range of enhancements to the law relating to ASBOs in the Police Reform Act.
	We have also commissioned a survey of Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC) schemes in England and Wales, and is also evaluating the original ABC scheme in Islington. This research will be published in spring 2003.
	The Home Office is producing new, joint guidance on anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) and acceptable behaviour contracts (ABCs). The new guidance will include examples of good practice and reflect the changes to anti-social behaviour orders introduced by the Police Reform Act 2002. It will encourage greater use of ASBOs and ABCs by helping all those involved in protecting the community to implement the measures more effectively.

Asylum and Immigration Policies

Claire Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his plans to offer language and citizenship education to those settling in the UK.

Beverley Hughes: The advisory group, chaired by Professor Sir Bernard Crick, will be making recommendations on language and citizenship education for people seeking naturalisation. The advisory group is working on a programme of study, which will be part of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) language teaching for those assessed as not having sufficient English. The Group has had two meetings so far and intends issuing an interim report early in the New Year, with a final report around Easter 2003.
	The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill refers to applicants having to deomonstrate Xsufficient English (or Welsh or Scottish Gaelic)".
	The Group is presently interpreting 'sufficient English' as meaning enough linguistic ability to sustain unskilled employment in an English-speaking environment. For those with that minimal level already, they consider that attendance at classes should raise their level of competence to the next entry level, as defined in the existing adult learning language skills criteria. In other words, the Group is considering the concept of attendance and progression, rather than requiring all applicants to reach an absolute standard that for some might never be achievable.
	The Group has considered whether there might be some sort of screening process to filter out those people who already have sufficient English. While we do not want to make unnecessary work for people who already have a good command of one of the UK languages, we do want them to demonstrate their knowledge of life in the UK. Screening might also be used to allocate people to programmes which best meet their needs. ESOL teachers are well used to assessing linguistic capability to get people on to the right course and a number of such tools already exist.
	Defining these borderlines more precisely will of course take a little time. Issues of numbers and resources, as well as standards, will also need to be considered. And, as I have said already, those with good English already may not be required to attend all the classes and may study privately for the citizenship element of the programme. This will require some innovative thought about delivery methods, bearing in mind that the overall objective is to facilitate integration and not just to test knowledge.
	For those people for whom any course of study would be too challenging, perhaps by virtue of their age or infirmity, or because they have learning difficulties, the Bill includes a provision to waive these requirements. So, people who can provide sound reasons for not demonstrating progress or achievement will not be debarred from acquiring British citizenship.
	The Group is currently considering a XLiving in the United Kingdom" programme under six broad heads. These are:
	Information on everyday needs—for instance, types of housing, paying bills, and schooling;
	Knowing the law—for instance, the rights and responsibilities of a citizen;
	Sources of help and information—including both national and local voluntary and community bodies;
	Employment—for instance, understanding how to get a job, and employment rights and responsibilities;
	Britain as a changing and multi-cultural society—including the four historical nations, the new ethnic and religious groups and changing patterns in family life and relationships;
	British national institutions—political, economic and social.
	The level would obviously be basic, and dependent on someone's needs at a particular point in their immigration history. But the Group is involved in ongoing discussions as to whether a more in-depth programme on the last two items would not be sensible for those with good English already.
	I understand that, because some migrants do not become eligible for free education immediately, the Group intends recommending that the kind of information contained in the XLiving in Britain" programme should be made available, perhaps at the point at which entry clearance is granted, to people such as work permit holders or spouses who have an avenue to indefinite leave to remain. For this purpose, the members will be proposing that the Government produces a 'Living in Britain' booklet to be given out at ports of entry or at posts abroad. Such a booklet could be translated into a number of languages to help those who, as yet, have not acquired language skills but who could, nevertheless, benefit from what it contains in their path to becoming active, involved citizens.
	The Group intends to make an interim report early in the new year for public discussion and hopes to make a final report around Easter. The group will shortly be embarking on a widespread programme of consultation.

Asylum Applications

Bill Tynan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of asylum claims received a decision within two months in the last six months.

Beverley Hughes: The latest available information relates to October 2001 to March 2002, for which 68 per cent. of new substantive asylum applications made in that period were decided and served within two months.

Asylum Applications

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will list the countries from which the Government will not as a matter of course accept asylum applications.

Beverley Hughes: There is no list of countries from which the United Kingdom will not accept asylum applications.
	There are provisions in the Nationality Immigration and Asylum Bill to introduce a list of countries from which the starting presumption is that asylum claims will be clearly unfounded. However, there will continue to be individual consideration of those claims.

Asylum Applications

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nationals of each country from which a visa is required applied for entry clearance to come to the United Kingdom for temporary purposes, including visitor and student applications in 2001; how many visas were issued for temporary purposes; how many recipients of these visas returned to their country of nationality before the visas expired; and how many applied (i) to remain permanently in the United Kingdom and (ii) for political asylum.

Beverley Hughes: The available information is given in the attached table. The information on grants of settlement includes persons who entered the United Kingdom with an entry clearance leading to settlement; and the data on asylum seekers includes those applicants who had not previously applied for entry clearance.
	Entry clearance data for 2001 by nationality is not yet available. Data for 2000 was published in the Command Paper Control of Immigration Statistics United Kingdom 2000 Cm 5315, a copy of which is available in the Library.
	Information is not available on the number of persons who return to their country of nationality before the leave to enter or remain in the United Kingdom expires. Information is not available on the number of holders of visas for temporary purposes who subsequently apply for asylum or for settlement.
	
		Grants of settlement and applications for asylum for nationals of countries or territories which require visas, 2001
		
			 Nationality Grants(16) Applications for asylum(17),(18)  
		
		
			 Afghanistan 1,790 9,000 
			 Albania 160 1,065 
			 Algeria 725 1,145 
			 Angola 220 1,025 
			 Armenia 30 95 
			 Azerbaijan 60 105 
			 Bahrain 15 (19)— 
			 Bangladesh 4,005 500 
			 Belarus 75 80 
			 Benin 5 10 
			 Bhutan 5 50 
			 Bosnia 1,425 50 
			 Bulgaria 290 120 
			 Burkino Faso 5 10 
			 Burma (Myanmar) 65 100 
			 Burundi 210 615 
			 Cambodia 5 (20)— 
			 Cameroon 140 370 
			 Cape Verde (20)— (19)— 
			 Central African Republic (19)— 5 
			 Chad (20)— 30 
			 China 1,460 2,390 
			 Colombia 495 360 
			 Comoros (20)— (20)— 
			 Congo 110 520 
			 Croatia 325 35 
			 Cuba 90 15 
			 Democratic Republic of Congo 465 1,395 
			 Djibouti 25 5 
			 Dominican Rep 45 (21)— 
			 Ecuador 90 245 
			 Egypt 395 45 
			 Equatorial Guinea 5 5 
			 Eritrea 130 620 
			 Ethiopia 410 610 
			 Federal Republic of 2,450 3,190 
			 Yugoslavia   
			 Fiji 30 (20)— 
			 Gabon 10 5 
			 Gambia 265 65 
			 Georgia 40 130 
			 Ghana 2,280 200 
			 Guinea 25 105 
			 Guinea-Bissau 5 10 
			 Guyana 185 5 
			 Haiti 5 (20)— 
			 Hong Kong, holder of Cl or Dl 25 (20)— 
			 India 7,005 1,850 
			 Indonesia 200 20 
			 Iran 1,185 3,415 
			 Iraq 1,205 6,705 
			 Ivory Coast 165 280 
			 Jordan 170 30 
			 Kazakhstan 45 40 
			 Kenya 890 310 
			 Kuwait 15 10 
			 Kyrgyzstan 10 10 
			 Laos 5 (19)— 
			 Lebanon 245 175 
			 Liberia 105 115 
			 Libya 305 145 
			 Macedonia 90 745 
			 Madagascar 5 (19)— 
			 Maldives 5 (19)— 
			 Mali 5 5 
			 Mauritania 50 5 
			 Mauritius 365 20 
			 Moldova 30 445 
			 Mongolia 5 145 
			 Morocco 570 35 
			 Mozambique 15 5 
			 Nepal 170 640 
			 Niger 10 5 
			 Nigeria 4,940 870 
			 North Korea (19)— (20)— 
			 Oman 5 (19)— 
			 Pakistan 11,160 2,860 
			 Papua New Guinea 10 (19)— 
			 Peru 145 15 
			 Philippines 1,295 15 
			 Qatar 5 (20)— 
			 Romania 350 1,415 
			 Russia 1,010 455 
			 Rwanda 165 540 
			 Sao Tome and Principe 5 (19)— 
			 Saudi Arabia 40 5 
			 Senegal 30 10 
			 Sierra Leone 720 1,930 
			 Slovakia 405 60 
			 Somalia 7,195 6,465 
			 Sri Lanka 2,305 5,510 
			 Sudan 500 390 
			 Surinam 5 (19)— 
			 Syria 145 105 
			 Taiwan 160 (20)— 
			 Tajikistan 5 5 
			 Tanzania 260 80 
			 Thailand 1,175 10 
			 Togo 30 100 
			 Tunisia 180 25 
			 Turkey 2,440 3,700 
			 Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus 50 (21)— 
			 Turkmenistan 5 5 
			 Uganda 675 475 
			 Ukraine 390 440 
			 United Arab Emirates 20 (20)— 
			 Uzbekistan 30 15 
			 Vietnam 160 400 
			 Yemen 355 170 
			 Zambia 330 20 
			 Stateless/nationality unknown 330 330 
		
	
	(16) Excluding persons given indefinite leave to enter
	(17) Excludes dependants
	(18) Provisional data
	(19) Nil
	(20) Figures are rounded to the nearest 5 (1 or 2)
	(21) Not available

Asylum Seekers

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers were arrested in 2002.

Beverley Hughes: Information is not collected centrally on the nationality of the immigration status of persons arrested.

Asylum Seekers

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers have been directed to (a) Hampshire, (b) Portsmouth and (c) Southampton; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: As at the end of June 2002, 690 1 asylum seekers (including dependants) were being supported in National Asylum Support Service (NASS) accommodation in Hampshire, of which 250 1 were being supported in Portsmouth and 440 1 in Southampton.
	Statistics on the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS in each region are available on the Home Office's Immigration and Asylum Statistics website http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	1 Figures have been rounded to the nearest five.
	Note:
	Figures exclude cases where the asylum seeker support has been ceased.

Asylum Seekers

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of those who sought asylum in the United Kingdom in 2001 (a) entered the country on valid travel documents and claimed asylum immediately, (b) entered the country on valid travel documents and claimed asylum after any permission to stay expired and (c) entered the country illegally.

Beverley Hughes: I regret that the information requested is not available. In 2001, 65 per cent. of applications for asylum were made in-country and 35 per cent. were made at port.
	The 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees recognised that people trying to escape persecution often relied upon the use of false documents and unusual means of travel. Article 31 of the Convention provides that refugees should not have any penalties imposed upon them as a consequence of entering the country of refuge illegally in order to seek sanctuary, provided that they travel to that country directly from their own country, present themselves to the domestic authorities without delay and show good cause for their illegal entry or presence.
	Information on asylum applications is published quarterly. The next publication will be available from 29 November 2002 on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum Seekers

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers are being supported by the national asylum support service; and of these how many have dependent children.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 24 October 2002
	As at the end of June 2002, the national asylum support service (NASS) was supporting 59,660 1 asylum seekers (excluding dependants) of which 10,650 1 had at least one dependant.
	The number of asylum seekers supported by NASS who have children among their dependants is not available.
	Statistics on the number of asylum seekers supported by NASS are available on the Home Office's Immigration and Asylum Statistics website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	1 Figures have been rounded to the nearest five.
	Figures exclude cases where the asylum seeker's support has been ceased.

Asylum Seekers

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the asylum seekers who are supported by the national asylum support service made in-country applications for asylum.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 24 October 2002
	The information requested is not available.
	The only available statistics are on the percentage of asylum applications which were made in-country. In 2001, 65 per cent of asylum applications were made in-country.

Asylum Seekers (Lichfield)

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Department has to open a camp for asylum seekers in Lichfield District.

Beverley Hughes: Site searching has continued, as we said it would when we announced our shortlist for Accommodation Centre sites on 14 May. However, we will not be putting into the public domain details of such sites unless and until they are considered to be a serious prospect for the siting of an accommodation centre.

Charity Commission

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many charities were removed from the list of those registered by the Charity Commission in the last year for which information is available.

Beverley Hughes: This is a matter for the Charity Commission, as the Government Department that registers charities in England and Wales. The Chief Charity Commissioner will write to the hon. Member, and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Chelmsford Prison

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many cells there are in Chelmsford Prison; how many are (a) single occupancy cells and (b) two person occupancy cells; how many prisoners are currently occupying single cells on their own; and how many are sharing a single cell with (i) one and (ii) two or more persons;
	(2)  what the maximum number of places for prisoners in Chelmsford Prison is; how many prisoners there are in Chelmsford Prison; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 22 October 2002
	The operational capacity of Chelmsford prison is 576. The number of prisoners held there on 18 October 2002 was 576.
	There are 430 cells at Chelmsford prison of which 419 are certified single cells, 10 are double cells and one is a triple cell. 285 of the certified single cells have single occupancy and the remaining 134 are doubled. There are currently no cells at Chelmsford which hold three prisoners.

Child Prostitution

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with (a) his European counterparts and (b) senior police officers regarding tackling child prostitution; what proposals were examined; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: Discussions with European colleagues about the problem of child prostitution have been largely in the context of negotiations over a Draft European Union Council Framework Decision on combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography. This will require member states to criminalise particular aspects of the sexual exploitation of children aged up to 18, including those involved in prostitution. The UK fully supports this framework decision as a significant step to increase protection for children throughout Europe. We hope it will be agreed shortly.
	Strengthening our laws to meet the requirements of the framework decision will form part of our plans to reform the framework of laws dealing with sexual offences on which we will be publishing a paper later this autumn. This follows on from XSetting the Boundaries", the report of the Review of Sex Offences published in July 2000, which made a number of recommendations to strengthen the law, including providing better legal safeguards against those who seek to exploit children in prostitution.
	We also issued in May 2000 guidance to the police and other agencies on XSafeguarding Children Involved in Prostitution", which highlighted the importance of children involved in prostitution being treated primarily as abused children. This followed discussions with representatives from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and the other agencies concerned.
	Moreover, we have been supporting under the Crime Reduction Programme a number of local projects aimed at evaluating best practice in dealing with prostitution, including how best to help young people leave behind their involvement in prostitution. All these projects are supported or led by the police and involve local agencies working together to find practical solutions. The aim is to identify the most effective strategies so that these can be disseminated.

Child Protection (Internet)

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what measures he has taken and plans to take to alert parents to the dangers of paedophiles using the internet to target children.

Hilary Benn: The Government set up a Task Force on Child Protection on the internet in spring 2001.
	A public awareness campaign was launched by the Home Office in December 2001, following discussion in the Task Force, to alert children of 14–16 and parents of younger children to the dangers presented by paedophiles using the internet, to deliver key safety messages, and to advise them of sources of information and support. The campaign used advertisements in national newspapers and magazines, radio, cinemas, satellite TV, and online. The key points were to make clear that someone a child meets on the internet may not be who they seem, and that children should not give out personal information online. This was well received and evaluation showed that it was successful in raising awareness of the key messages. We are now considering further activity to be carried out later this year.

Children in Custody

Hilton Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how he intends to improve the protection of children held in prison custody.

Hilary Benn: Improvements in the protection of children held in prison custody are being taken forward by the development of child protection policy and practice, involving co-operation between the Prison Service, the Youth Justice Board and social services, as well as a range of community-based charities.
	Considerable progress has already been made. Through the revision of the child protection protocol and the policy set out in the relevant Prison Service order, the relationship between young offender institutions holding juveniles and their local Area Child Protection Committees (ACPC) have been greatly improved with most governors now having representation on the local ACPC.
	Each YOI in the juvenile estate has appointed a child protection co-ordinator (and deputy) and has established a child protection committee within the establishment, with some having representation on that committee from the local ACPC, police and other relevant agencies.
	A child protection training programme has been developed for all staff within the juvenile estate.

Community Policing (Wales)

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he will take to encourage use of community police support officers in Wales.

John Denham: We are committed to the development of Community Support Officers (CSOs) throughout England and Wales. On 23 September my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, announced a fund of #19million for the recruitment of more than 1,000 CSOs in England and Wales this financial year. 27 forces bid successfully for a share of this funding.
	Gwent is among the forces which will benefit from this funding. They bid successfully for #169,029 to recruit 30 CSOs. Gwent is also one of the six forces which were selected to pilot, over the next two years, detention powers for CSOs.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the backlog of hon. Members' correspondence at the IND is; what the target date is which he has set to clear the backlog at the IND; what discussions he has had with posts overseas concerning the processing of applicants for citizenship by British Overseas Citizens; how many persons are awaiting decisions on citizenship applications; and how many passports were lost by IND in 2002.

Beverley Hughes: The total number of outstanding cases in the backlog of MPs correspondence at the Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) as of 30 September was 1,808, of which 361 await ministerial reply and 1,447 official reply. We aim to reduce the backlog to frictional levels by the end of this year and are on course to do so.
	The Department published figures in June 2002 relating to the voluntary acquisition of British citizenship. In 2001 IND received 109,005 citizenship applications and made decisions on 90,295 applications. There are no available figures relating to the current number of applications awaiting a decision. There have been no substantive discussions so far with our overseas diplomatic missions about the processing of applications from British Overseas citizens etc. We and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are preparing the guidance needed by posts and applicants before the amendment in the Nationality and Immigration Asylum (NIA) Bill comes into force.
	With regard to the last part of the question, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate issue letters to members of the public where a passport cannot be immediately traced. As at 11 October 2002 a total of 265 such letters had been issued.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 3 September from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Baez Azez Baez.

David Blunkett: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 22 October 2002.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 18 September from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mr. John Alosine Bangura.

David Blunkett: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 24 October 2002.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he intends to reply to the letter to him dated 5 September from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Mrs. Vida Obiri (Yeboah-Burgess).

David Blunkett: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 21 October 2002.

Crime Detection Rates

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to improve the crime detection rate and increase the numbers of criminals brought to justice.

John Denham: The Police Standards Unit is currently working with a number of police forces to improve their crime detection rates. This will be achieved through a structured performance enhancement programme, utilising the good practice guide and supported through other existing initiatives. Force performance is measured through the performance information supplied to the Police Standards Unit on a monthly basis.
	Through the further development and structured implementation of the National Intelligence Model (NIM), police activity can be targeted more effectively at both detecting and disrupting crime. This, coupled with the increased provision of analytical support, will provide the crime and disorder partnerships with the ability to detect crime and bring offenders to justice.
	On 17 October this year, the Government published the XNarrowing the Justice Gap" framework document. This document sets out a three-pronged approach to increase the number of offenders brought to justice. The strategy involves:
	overcoming weaknesses in the overall criminal justice process by encouraging good practice and inter-agency coordination at local levels;
	targeting particular types of offences;
	targeting particular types of offender, in particular the persistent offender scheme due to commence in 2003.
	The Government have made available #182 million over a four-year period to expand the national DNA database. The Home Office, ACPO and the Forensic Science Service are working together to maximise the benefits gained from the expenditure being made in the development and application of DNA and other forensic techniques.

Crime Prevention Partnerships

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of crime prevention partnerships in reducing crime in the Portsmouth, South constituency; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: The Crime Reduction Director for the South East regards the performance of the City of Portsmouth's crime and disorder reduction partnership as good and Portsmouth recently won the award for the best crime and disorder strategy for 2002–05 in the South East region. According to the latest available figures, total crime in Portsmouth is falling faster than in similar partnerships across England and Wales.
	The partnership actively seeks to engage the local community in reducing crime. For instance, following a police operation in the Portsmouth, South constituency, there will shortly be a public meeting to work out with the local community ways of ensuring long-term sustainable improvements to the quality of life for the residents of Somerstown.

Crime Reduction

Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on progress with reducing (a) crime affecting older people and (b) the fear of crime among older people.

Michael Wills: Crime against the elderly is horrifying, but is thankfully uncommon; levels fell by 20 per cent. between British Crime Survey (BCS) 1996 and BCS 2000, and older people are on average only a sixth as likely as the young to suffer a personal crime. We are making special efforts to reduce the chances still further, and in particular we have developed and implemented a strategy to clamp down on the despicable crime of distraction burglary. Levels of fear of crime among older people are still too high; we are committed to reducing them, and we are working with charities such as Help The Aged to find new and better ways of tackling fear of crime among seniors as well as crimes against them.

Death Forms

David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what penalties are incurred by erroneous completion of (a) death certificates and (b) cremation forms.

Hilary Benn: Under the Births and Deaths Registration Act 1953, the doctor who attended the deceased during his or her last illness is required to state the cause of death to the best of his or her knowledge or belief. The certifying doctor may not be able to be certain in all cases that the cause of death given is beyond question, and such deaths should be reported to the coroner. It would be an offence to refuse to issue a death certificate or to falsify a certificate. On conviction, such a person would be liable to a fine of up to #200.
	Contravention of regulations under the Cremation Act 1902 is an offence. On conviction, a fine of up to #1,000 may be imposed. Anyone convicted of wilfully making false representations, or falsifying a certificate, with a view to securing a cremation is liable to imprisonment of up to two years.
	Death certification procedures are being considered by the Review of Coroners Services and by the Shipman Inquiry which will be reporting next year.

Prisons (Drug Addicts)

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for 
	(1)  the Home Department what steps he is taking to segregate non drug addicts from drug addicts in prisons.
	(2)  what estimate he makes of the number of prisoners who adopt a drug habit whilst in prison.
	(3)  what action he is taking (a) to segregate inmates on first prison sentence and (b) to reduce recidivism among first time prisoners.
	(4)  if he will increase the segregation of prisoners in order to reduce (a) recidivism and (b) prison drug use.

Hilary Benn: Specific reconviction figures are not collected for first time prisoners. The Prison Service has been set a target to reduce the rate of reconvictions of all released prisoners by five per cent. compared to the predicted rate by 2004. To meet this target the Prison Service draws on 'What Works' research to provide regimes which are effective in tackling offending behaviour and the factors which contribute towards re-offending.
	There is no evidence to suggest that segregating prisoners leads to a reduction in recidivism or overall drug use. There are no statistics available on which to base an estimate of the numbers of prisoners who adopt a drug habit whilst in prison; drug taking by its nature is a covert activity.
	Voluntary drug testing programmes are available for prisoners who wish to make a commitment to remain drug free. Ninety prisons currently have voluntary drug testing units in operation. These do not provide segregation but they do provide a degree of separation from prisoners not making a formal commitment to remain drug free.

Drug Dealers

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will commit more resources to police forces in order to combat drug dealers who target the young operating in housing estates and outside schools.

John Denham: The Government are committed to working to protect the young from any dealers who target them.
	Police authorities also participate in the Government's wider drugs' strategy. Over the three years from 2001–02 to 2003–04, the Home Office has made available #220 million for the Communities Against Drugs (CAD) programme. This scheme provides for Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships and Drugs Action Teams (DATs) to build a stronger community links and helps local communities tackle neighbourhood drugs problems and associated crime.
	The communities themselves allocate the money to local projects reflecting their priorities in the fight against drugs, through education/support programmes, diversionary schemes and the disruption of the local drugs supply market. Police are involved in the partnership activities and receive financial support from the CAD programme.

Drug Treatment and Testing Orders

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug treatment and testing orders have been issued in (a) Hampshire and (b) the Portsmouth, South constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: The drug treatment and testing order (DTTO) was introduced under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and rolled out to courts in England and Wales on 1 October 2000, after successfully being piloted. Between 1 April 2001 and 31 July 2002, 192 DTTOs were made in Hampshire, of which 47 orders were made in Portsmouth (including Portsmouth, Fareham and Havant).
	DTTO figures for individual constituencies are not available.

Drug-related Crimes

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) racially motivated, (b) violent, (c) street and (d) drug-related crimes were reported in (i) Lancashire and (ii) the North-West of England in the last 12 months.

John Denham: Numbers of reported crimes are not collected centrally. Numbers of crimes recorded by the police in the year ending March 2002 are given in the table. As some of the forces in the North West, including Lancashire, implemented the principles of the National Crime Recording Standard in advance of its national implementation in April 2002, the given figures cannot be directly compared with those for previous years.
	The crime categories for which racially aggravated crimes are recorded separately are harassment, other wounding, common assault and criminal damage. The total numbers of these racially aggravated crimes are given in the table.
	Violent crime is comprised of the offence groups of violence against the person, sexual offences and robbery.
	'Street crime' is not a separate category in recorded crime figures, which are based on legal definitions. Figures are given for robberies of personal property
	Recorded crime figures do not contain details of whether offences are related to offenders' drug habits. Figures for offences specifically related to drugs themselves, including for example trafficking and possession of drugs, are given.
	
		Recorded crimes in the year ending March 2002
		
			  Lancashire North West  Government Region 
		
		
			 Racially aggravated offences 1,057 4,746 
			 Violent crimes 18,535 106,892 
			 Robbery of personal property 1,437 13,656 
			 Drug offences 3,169 14,775

Drugs-related Deaths

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he gives to coroners' courts on recording deaths as drugs-related.

Hilary Benn: Coroners were advised about recommended verdicts in drugs-related deaths when these verdicts were first introduced in 1984. They have since been encouraged to report details for the National Programme on Substance Abuse Deaths, and have been informed of the action plan to prevent drugs-related deaths in the light of the recent report from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. In order to improve surveillance and monitoring, we will provide new guidance for coroners by March 2003.

Dysfunctional Families

Colin Challen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to support dysfunctional families.

Beverley Hughes: All families need help from time to time, which is why we have a wide range of policies to help all families bring up their children in the best possible way.
	In addition, we have in place measures that support those most in need.

Fireworks

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to tackle the misuse of fireworks.

John Denham: We have been working closely with the Department of Trade and Industry to address the issue of fireworks safety and misuse, and to curb the problem of noise and nuisance they cause. My hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Trade and Industry (Melanie Johnson) launched this year's safety campaign on 15 October when she announced a range of measures, including proposals to ban air bombs.
	We are encouraging trading standards officers, Health and Safety Executive and police forces to make full use of existing legislation. Throwing fireworks is one of the offences covered in the fixed penalty notice scheme being piloted in four police force areas. A monitoring scheme has also been set up with nine CDRPs to focus on best practice and identify clearly the number and scale of the problems caused.

Hampshire Constabulary

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police have left the Hampshire Constabulary in the last 12 months because of (a) retirement, (b) early retirement, (c) injury and (d) other employment; and if he will make a statement.

John Denham: The precise information requested is not collected centrally. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary has provided the figures set out in the table for the 12 months ending 31 March 2002.
	
		Hampshire constabulary wastage 2001–2002
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Dismissed or required to resign 4 
			 Voluntary resignations 48 
			 Medical retirements 19 
			 Ordinary retirements 102 
			 Transfers 61 
			 Died in service 1 
			 Total wastage 234

Illegal Raves

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent guidelines he has issued to chief constables on the control of illegal raves in England.

Bob Ainsworth: Guidance was issued to police on illegal raves in November 1994 and was contained in Home Office circular 45/94. This circular contained an introductory guide to provisions in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994. We have made clear in the White Paper XJustice for All" (CM 5563) our intentions to supplement police powers to deal with nuisance caused with raves, and legislation will follow at the earliest opportunity: further guidance to the police will then be issued.

Immigration Service Removal Centres

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the net cost is in a full year of substituting contract and agency staff to undertake work in removal centres that previously was undertaken by detainees; from what budget the extra cost is taken; what proposals he has for giving financial incentives to detainees to assist in the running of removal centres; what factors he considered before deciding to prevent detainees from working; and if he will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: Immigration detainees held in Immigration Service removal centres have never been required to work nor are they expected to assist in the running of the centres.
	Following their redesignation earlier this year as removal centres, the prison service detention facilities at Dover, Haslar and Lindholme ceased to operate under Prison Rules. As a consequence, detainees no longer had the opportunity to undertake paid employment in the centres and the practice of relying on such work for the provision of certain ancillary services came to an end. Work formerly undertaken by detainees at these centres has been contracted out or transferred to agency staff. For this year this has resulted in a net additional cost of #1.09 million. This will be met from the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's budget.
	Regimes in immigration removal centres provide detainees with a wide range of constructive activities based on education, crafts, physical education, religion and recreation. All activities are voluntary although detainees are encouraged to take part in them. Some centres provide a cash allowance, although not as an incentive to engage in activities, and we are considering standardising this and making it universal. While we are considering incentives and further ways to enhance activities available to detainees, we have no plans to require detainees to undertake paid work or to assist in the running of removal centres.

Imprisonment of Juveniles

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to end and to reduce imprisonment of juveniles.

Hilary Benn: The Government strongly believe that custody for juveniles should very much be a last resort, and we have provided the courts with a wide range of community-based penalties which are specifically targeted at young people. Sadly, however, we recognise that there is a small minority of young people—just 4 per cent. of those juveniles dealt with by police and courts each year—whose offending is so serious or so persistent, that custody may be the only immediate answer. In those cases, we must ensure that such a sentence is as constructive an experience for them as possible, and to this end we have introduced the new Detention and Training Order for juveniles and improved the custodial regimes with supervision and support after release.

Justice and Home Affairs Council

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outcome was of the Justice and Home Affairs and Civil Protection Council held in Brussels on 14 and 15 October; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if he will make a statement.

David Blunkett: Together with my right hon. and noble Friend Lord Filkin and my noble Friend Baroness Scotland, I represented the United Kingdom at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg on 14 and 15 October.
	The A points were approved as in document PTS A 48 (12810/02) (a copy of which has been placed in the Library) with the exception of item 9. The Council also reached political agreement on the Directive on legal aid and the Framework Decision on combating sexual exploitation of children and child pornography.
	The Framework Decision on combating corruption in the private sector and the Framework Decision laying down minimum provisions on the constituent elements of criminal acts and penalties in the field of drug trafficking remained subject to reservations on the scope of the offence and the penalties for trafficking in small quantities of drugs respectively.
	The Council discussed whether the Framework Decision on confiscation of crime-related proceeds, instrumentalities and property should create an obligation on member states to provide for confiscation of property beyond that arising directly from the offence. Lord Filkin argued that it should and that the burden should be on the offender to prove that the property was acquired legitimately. The majority of member states agreed but argued that this obligation should arise only in circumstances involving a limited number of offences and that the burden should be on the court to establish the origin of the property. Member states shared the view that there should not be an automatic assumption that the property of a spouse or
	co-habitee was also acquired from criminal proceeds.
	The Council examined some of the outstanding reservations on the Framework Decision on the application of the principle of mutual recognition to financial penalties. There was agreement to include a provision recognising the application of fundamental human rights, subject to negotiation of an accompanying Recital. Member states were, however, divided on the level of the financial threshold below which member states could refuse to execute a financial penalty. Four member states were also unable to accept the absence of a dual criminality requirement in the instrument.
	The Council reached a general approach on the Council Decision on the investigation and prosecution of war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity subject to parliamentary scrutiny reserves from five member states, including the UK, and pending the opinion of the European Parliament.
	The Presidency sought agreement to the Council Decision establishing a mechanism for evaluating the legal systems and their implementation at national level in the fight against terrorism. Lord Filkin expressed the Government's broad support for the measure but said that it could not enter into a political agreement since the text remained subject to parliamentary scrutiny in the UK. He reserved the right to return to the substance. Two other member states also maintained parliamentary scrutiny reserves.
	The Council agreed the principles for determining the selection procedure for the appointment of the Europol Directorate as part of the proposal for amending the Europol Staff Regulations. Lord Filkin said that it was essential to establish a fair and open procedure which led to appointment on merit.
	Justice and Home Affairs Ministers of the member states and of candidate countries met in the margins of the Council and discussed the timetable for the removal of internal frontier controls in the Schengen area post-enlargement. There was also a discussion of the obligations and responsibilities created by new instruments applying the principle of mutual recognition. Lord Filkin emphasised that the successful application of these instruments required trust in each other's judicial systems. He welcomed the Commission's new proposals for monitoring arrangements to be included in the accession treaties. A Declaration was agreed condemning violence against commercial lorry drivers. The candidate countries were informed of the Council's intention to agree, the following day, a declaration concerning applications for asylum from citizens of the candidate countries.
	The Commission presented its two proposals for a Council Directive on minimum standards on procedures in member states for granting and withdrawing refugee status and a Council Directive on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of studies or other purposes. The Commission also reported on its progress in negotiating readmission agreements with third countries. The Presidency presented a draft programme on EU returns to Afghanistan.
	The Presidency provided information on member states' planned projects to follow up the plan for the management of the external borders and the plan for fighting illegal immigration and trafficking in human beings. The Council agreed conclusions on action to be taken as a matter of urgency to further prevent and combat illegal migration and trafficking in human beings.
	The Council discussed the criteria for assigning responsibility for an asylum claim and the deadlines for transfers in the Regulation establishing the criteria and mechanisms for determining the member states responsible for examining an asylum application lodged in one of the member states by a third-country national (Dublin II). Lord Filkin supported the existing qualifying period for the application of the illegal presence criterion and called for the deletion of the requirement to prove illegal entry before applying this criterion.
	The Council discussed the definitions of a refugee and the concept of Xserious and unjustified harm" in the Council Directive on minimum standards for the qualification and status of third-country nationals and stateless persons as refugees or as persons who otherwise need international protection. The UK and the Presidency welcomed a proposal from Commissioner Vitorino reformulating the definition of Xserious and unjustified harm" to clarify its scope of application in conflict situations, responding to UK concerns.
	The Presidency sought adoption of the Directive laying down minimum standards for the reception of asylum seekers in member states. One member state maintained the view that the provision on access to labour markets should be deleted. The Presidency agreed that the Council should work with a view to incorporating an addition to the Directive, proposed by the UK, to allow a member state to refuse support in cases where the applicant does not submit his claim as soon as reasonably practicable. The Council would seek to approve the Directive at its November meeting.
	The Council agreed conclusions on the integration of third country nationals and discussed the outstanding issues on the Council Directive concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents. The majority of member states were able to accept the inclusion of refugees within the scope of the text and favoured a five year residence requirement. There was also general support for the measures regarding rights of mobility for third country nationals. The UK has not opted in to the adoption of this measure.
	Ministers agreed a Declaration asserting that from the point of signature of the Accession Treaties applications for asylum from citizens from the EU candidate countries should be treated as manifestly unfounded.
	The Council also invited COREPER to report on the possibility of agreeing a list of safe third countries and the Schengen Mixed Committee to consider possible amendments to the Schengen manual with a view to strengthening the procedures for passport control at the Schengen area entry points.

Local Government Funding Settlement

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with chief constables on the effect on police forces of the proposed local government funding settlement.

John Denham: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary regularly meets chief constables. Matters of police funding and the local government funding settlement are discussed periodically.

Money Laundering

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which Government agencies are responsible for tackling money laundering in the UK.

Bob Ainsworth: A number of Government agencies have responsibility for combating money laundering in the United Kingdom.
	In England and Wales, the Economic Crime Branch of the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS) is responsible for the receipt, analysis and dissemination of all reports made in the United Kingdom which are indicative of a suspicion of money laundering. Subsequent investigations of a suspected money laundering offence are undertaken primarily by police forces, the National Crime Squad or Her Majesty's Customs and Excise (HMCE), but can also fall within the investigative remit of other agencies such as the Serious Fraud Office or Inland Revenue. Prosecutions for money laundering offences are conducted by the Crown Prosecution Service and HMCE.
	In relation to Scotland, investigations of a suspected money laundering offence are carried out by the police and Customs and Excise under the direction of the procurator fiscal. Prosecutions are conducted by the Lord Advocate or his representative, the procurator fiscal.
	In addition, the Financial Services Authority has the power to make rules on money laundering, and impose civil penalties for breaches of those rules. It also has the power to prosecute breaches of the Money Laundering Regulations. HMCE has responsibility for the oversight of Money Service Operators and has powers to prosecute for a range of money laundering offences.
	In November 2001, the Government published its National Asset Recovery Strategy drawn up by the Asset Recovery Committee. One of the central aims of the strategy is to prevent criminals and their associates from laundering the proceeds of criminal conduct, and to detect and prosecute such laundering where it occurs. The strategy has the support of the Departments and agencies involved in the fight against money laundering activity who have committed themselves to acting in accordance with its principles.

National Crime Intelligence Service Report

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the recent National Crime Intelligence Service report.

Bob Ainsworth: The National Criminal Intelligence Service published their annual assessment of the threat to the United Kingdom from serious and organised crime on 22 July. The assessment, based on available information and intelligence, is important in providing an authoritative statement on the threat and informing the Government's response to it.

Nationality, Asylum and Immigration Bill

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) amendments and (b) new clauses he has introduced to the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill (i) in the Commons between Second Reading and the commencement of Committee stage, (ii) in the Commons during Committee stage, (iii) in the Commons during Report stage and (iv) subsequently.

Beverley Hughes: The numbers of Government amendments and new clauses introduced into the Nationality, Asylum and Immigration Bill since 12 April 2002 are set out in the table. The majority were minor or technical. The substantive amendments which were introduced in the Lords reflected new policy developments and additional time was given to the Bill with the recommitment of Parts III, V and VIII.
	
		
			 Bill stage Amendments New clauses 
		
		
			 (i) between Second Reading and Committee 3 1 
			 (ii) during Commons Committee stage 105 5 
			 (iii) during Commons Report 95 7 
			 (iv) subsequent to Commons Report 139 12 
			  
			 Total 342 25

Nottingham Police

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) police officers and (b) civilian staff were employed by the Nottinghamshire Police on (i) 31 March 1997, (ii) 31 March 1998, (iii) 31 March 1999, (iv) 31 March 2000, (v) 31 March 2001, (vi) 31 March 2002 and (vii) 31 September 2002; and what the projected number is for 31 March 2003.

John Denham: The information requested is set out in the table. Police strength information for September 2002 is not yet available. Plans for strength in March 2003 are a matter for the Chief Constable.
	
		Nottinghamshire Police
		
			 Year as at 31 March Police Strength Civilian Support Staff 
		
		
			 1997 2,323 1,003 
			 1998 2,323 987 
			 1999 2,225 1,039 
			 2000 2,204 1,024 
			 2001 2,212 1,039 
			 2002 2,330 1,087 
		
	
	Source:
	Home Office Statistical Bulletins—Police Service Strength—1997–2002.

Oakington Reception Centre

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he plans to ensure that those released from Oakington Reception Centre pending appeals have a duty to report daily or weekly to the police or other authorities.

Beverley Hughes: Those released from Oakington are granted temporary admission. As part of the conditions attached to this they can be required to live at a specified address and to report at specified times to an immigration or police officer.
	It is Government policy that wherever possible asylum seekers on temporary admission should be required to report at regular intervals to immigration officers, who are best placed to monitor progress on the application and act on up-to-date information.
	The Immigration Service already has eight reporting centres for this purpose and more are planned. Immigration officers also operate reporting in a number of police stations in the regions. In all cases where those released from Oakington are granted temporary admission to an area with existing reporting facilities, reporting restrictions will be imposed. In addition the Immigration Service will shortly be introducing teams of visiting officers and a mobile reporting van. This will result in more asylum seekers being required to report to an immigration officer on a regular basis.

Persistent Offenders

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to tackle the problem of persistent re-offending; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 23 October 2002
	Last week we announced that a persistent offender scheme will start in February 2003 across the whole criminal justice system. Its aim will be to target the most prolific offenders, to bring more offences committed by them to justice, and to rehabilitate them more effectively. This scheme is an important part of the 'Narrowing the Justice Gap' programme which aims to reduce the difference between the number of crimes reported to the police and the number of offences brought to justice. In addition the Government have already: given the courts new secure remand and tagging powers for 12 to 16-year olds who repeatedly offend on bail; funded the Youth Justice Board's intensive supervision and surveillance programmes for the most prolific young offenders; and renewed its commitment to maintain the time from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders at or below 71 days.

Police (Part-time)

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans there are to recruit part-time police officers and to allow full-time officers to change to part-time if they wish to (a) before and (b) after they have completed 30 years service.

John Denham: All new recruits may apply to work part-time, as may established police officers of all ranks, regardless of whether officers have completed 30 years' service or not. Managers must give full consideration to all requests to change to part-time working, taking into account operational needs.
	As part of the Police Negotiating Board (PNB) Agreement of 9 May, part-time working will be made easier for officers in all ranks, regardless of whether they have completed 30 years service or not. We plan to remove the current 16-hour a week minimum requirement for part-time working by 1 April 2003, together with the requirement for job sharing in respect of middle and senior ranks.

Police (Pay)

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans to improve the pay and conditions for frontline police officers.

John Denham: The Police Negotiating Board (PNB) Agreement of 9 May, approved by the Secretary of State, contains a number of measures that will improve the pay and conditions of all police officers and particularly frontline officers from 1 April 2003. There will be a new special priority payment scheme which is targeted on frontline operational officers in particular and gives extra rewards to officers in the most difficult and demanding posts. In addition, there will be increases in basic pay on top of the annual police pay award, shorter pay scales and competence-related pay for the most experienced officers in the federated ranks.

Police (Surrey)

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he proposes to take to ensure the maintenance of present levels of police services in Surrey.

Michael Wills: Sufficient resources will be provided to support all police authorities, including Surrey, in maintaining stable levels of service and continuity in local policing.

Police Authority Funding

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will make a statement on proposed changes to the police funding formula and their impact on future police authority funding.

John Denham: I am considering all the responses received on the proposed changes to the police funding formula. A final decision will be taken shortly.

Police Numbers

Tony McWalter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to expand the provision of community officers to all areas: and over what timescale.

John Denham: The number of police officers in England and Wales is the highest ever, 129,603 officers on 31 March 2002. Police strength is on track to reach our target of 130,000 officers by March 2003. We have set a further target for it to reach 132,500 officers in 2004.
	Decisions about the deployment of officers to community policing or other duties are for Chief Officers.
	Community Support Officers (CSOs) will have a vital role to play in support of the police. By tackling anti-social behaviour and the host of public nuisance, disorder and environmental problems that accompany it, they will make an invaluable contribution to community safety and regeneration.
	More than #19 million has been made available this year to recruit, train and deploy CSOs. Twenty-seven police forces in England and Wales bid for a share of this fund and we were able to fund them all. Hertfordshire made a successful bid for 14 CSOs to provide reassurance and a visible presence for communities in Watford and Stevenage.
	We expect to see more than 1,000 CSOs on the streets by April 2003 and more than 4,000 by 2005.

Police Paperwork

Roger Casale: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce the paperwork of police officers.

John Denham: We are committed to tackling the administrative burdens and inefficient working practices that keep officers off the streets. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary established a task force, under the chairmanship of Sir David O'Dowd, to identify ways in which forces can free up the time of front line officers. The task force's report was published on 17 September and contained 52 recommendations to increase the presence of police in communities. This is a vital opportunity to change the culture of the police service and bring about a real difference to the everyday lives of officers on the front line.
	We have now set up a steering group, co-chaired by the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Home Office, to take forward these recommendations. We are working with key stakeholders to reduce bureaucracy in police stations, on the streets and in court.

Police Vehicles

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what measures are being taken to reduce the number of collisions involving police vehicles which lead to injury and death.

John Denham: Measures already in place include a new police driver training course, launched in December 2000, which introduced a universal standard for driving in England and Wales. An essential element of the course is that officers should recognise the need to give priority to public safety above all other considerations such as attending an incident or apprehending a suspect. Where pursuits are concerned, there is a nationally agreed ACPO Pursuit Code of Practice and it is already police policy to consider continuously the consequences of a pursuit and whether to break it off. In addition, all forces have adopted some or most of the recommendations from the 1998 Lind Report on Police Pursuit Driver Training.

Policing Charges

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review his guidance in respect of policing charges.

Hilary Benn: Guidance on recovering costs for the policing of football matches is set out in Home Office Circular 34/2000. We have recently set up a working group, with representatives of the Home Office, Department for Culture Media and Sport, Association of Chief Police Officers and the football authorities to consider a range of issues, including charging for the policing of matches, and the investment of football clubs in the wider community.

Prisons

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to reduce the prison population.

Hilary Benn: The Government believe that prison is right for those convicted of an offence who are a danger to the public or who are serious or persistent offenders and that sentences served should be as long as necessary for punishment, public protection and rehabilitation but no longer. It also recognises that short sentences with no support and no supervision after release do not allow the correctional services to do effective behavioural or rehabilitation work with offenders. We set out our proposals for reducing the use of short sentences in the White Paper XJustice for All".
	Home detention curfew plays an important role in managing the prison population by enabling prisoners to be released from prison early, while still subject to restrictions placed on their liberty. This facilitates a smoother and more effective integration back into the community and helps offenders to serve or resume employment or training as soon as possible.
	As also announced in the White Paper XJustice for All" I have commissioned an independent review of the correctional services in England and Wales looking particularly at effectiveness and value for money in the delivery of services to reduce re-offending and how we improve our ability to manage the prison population. This review is in progress. As well as the correctional services, other professional and voluntary sector stakeholders have also been invited to submit their views.

Racial Equality Services

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how much money has been spent on racial equality services by the Commission for Racial Equality in Scotland in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what the breakdown of spending is in each of the areas of Scotland served by a racial equality council.

Beverley Hughes: The total spend on racial equality services in each of the last five years broken down by spend in each area of Scotland served by a Racial Equality Council (REC) is as follows:
	
		# 
		
			 REC 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 
		
		
			 Central Scotland 54,500 55,700 56,700 45,400 74,500 
			 Edinburgh and Lothian 16,900 50,900 57,900 61,400 77,800 
			 Fife 24,200 22,200 36,300 61,200 48,700 
			 Grampian 63,100 61,200 52,000 61,600 80,100 
			 Tayside 25,400 26,100 34,100 55,300 47,300 
			 West of Scotland 79,200 73,500 90,000 103,800 114,300 
			  
			 Total spend 263,300 289,600 327,000 388,700 442,700

Rape

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what his estimate is of the number of cases of rape that went unreported in (a) Lancashire and (b) the north-west of England in the last 12 months;
	(2)  what his estimate is of the number of cases of rape that went unreported in Wales in the last 12 months;
	(3)  how many cases of rape were reported in (a) Wales, (b) Lancashire and (c) the North West of England in the last 12 months.

Hilary Benn: The number of rapes cases reported to the police is not available centrally. The following details the number of rape incidents (both male and female) recorded by the police in the 2001–02 financial year.
	
		Recorded crimes of rape in Wales, Lancashire and the north-west of England
		
			 2001–02 Number 
		
		
			 Wales 420 
			 Lancashire 194 
			 North-west 1,174 
		
	
	It should be noted however that the British Crime Survey (BCS) estimates that only 20 per cent. of rapes come to the attention of the police (Home Office Research Study 237). In the calendar year 1999 there were 8,281 incidents of rape recorded by the police in England and Wales; however the British Crime Survey estimates that there were 61,000 rape victims (once or more) aged 16 to 59, in this year.

Rape

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action she plans to take to help protect female students from rape.

Hilary Benn: The Government provide targeted crime prevention advice to students regarding their personal safety. While not intending to cause unwarranted alarm, this advice aims to equip both male and female students with information to make themselves safer by taking some common sense precautions. The Government have undertaken a wide range of initiatives across the criminal justice system aimed at protecting women and men—including students—from rape.
	One of the key parts of our preventative strategy is the management of previous offenders, to prevent re-offending. Recent legislative changes have provided an improved framework within which the Prison Services, the National Probation Service, the Police, the Youth Justice Board and others can work together to assess and manage the risk posed by sex offenders both in custody and in the community.
	Other initiatives include the introduction of a rigorous assessment system throughout the Prison and Probation Services.
	We have taken a number of key steps with regard to sentencing of sexual offenders. The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 introduced extended sentences for serious sexual and violent offences. Under the broad review of sentencing that began in July 2001, we are looking at tougher determinate sentences for sex offenders that will ensure that they stay in prison, up to the full term if necessary, so long as they present a risk of harm to our communities. We are also undertaking a root and branch review of sex offences legislation, in order to provide new, coherent, and clear law to protect individuals from abuse and exploitation. We will be publishing our proposals for legislative reform shortly.
	The Violence Against Women (VAW) initiative is a key part of the Home Office's Crime Reduction Programme (CRP). The aim of the VAW initiative is to identify the most effective and cost effective approaches to reducing domestic violence and rape and sexual assault by known perpetrators.
	In July of this year we published an inter-agency action plan ope, which details practical measures across the criminal justice system to:
	Improve the investigation of rape cases;
	Enhance the quality of advice, decision making, case preparation and presentation at court, and;
	Better the treatment of victims and witnesses in cases involving allegations of rape.

Rape

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government is taking to prevent rape and related crimes against women and to promote rehabilitation after the crime has occurred.

Hilary Benn: The Government has undertaken a wide range of initiatives across the criminal justice system aimed at preventing rape and supporting victims.The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 introduced extended sentences for serious sexual and violent offences. Under the review of sentencing that began in July 2001 we are looking at tougher determinate sentences for sex offenders. We have also undertaken a review of sex offences legislation. We will be publishing our proposals for legislative reform shortly.
	An important part of our preventative strategy is the management of previous offenders to stop re-offending. Recent legislative changes, including the establishment of the multi-agency public protection panels, have improved the way in which public protection agencies—the prison services, the national probation service, the police, the Youth Justice Board and others—work together to assess and manage the risk posed by offenders both in custody and in the community.
	The probation service has run sex offender programmes for many years, which aim to reduce the risk of re-offending by changing the offender's behaviour. The programmes have recently been researched and evaluated and three accredited programmes, which challenge conventional thinking regarding the deviance and social inadequacy of sex offenders, are now being implemented in England and Wales. The service is also working on an accommodation plan, since the provision of appropriate accommodation is essential to the management of sex offenders in the community. Other initiatives to prevent rape include the introduction of a rigorous assessment system throughout the prison and probation services.
	The Violence Against Women (VAW) initiative is a key part of the Home Office's Crime Reduction Programme (CRP). The aim of the VAW initiative is to identify the most effective and cost effective approaches to reducing domestic violence and rape and sexual assault by known perpetrators. Its projects will be independently evaluated to provide evidence of impact and cost effectiveness, with a view to disseminating findings and recommendations from the successful projects as good practice.
	In July of this year the Home Department published an action plan on rape, which details practical measures across the criminal justice system to: improve the investigation of rape cases; enhance the quality of advice, decision making, case preparation and presentation at court; and, provide better treatment of victims and witnesses in cases involving allegations of rape.
	We are also continuing our work to reduce the occurrence of assaults against women through the provision of targeted crime prevention advice to women regarding their personal safety. While not intending to cause unwarranted alarm, this advice aims to equip women with information to make themselves safer by taking some common sense precautions.
	The Government have also taken action to help the victims of rape. We have: provided grant support to the Rape Crisis Federation; more than doubled the grant to Victim Support, which has helped to introduce a national telephone helpline for victims in magistrates courts; improved payments made to victims of sexual offences by the criminal injuries compensation scheme; and, given victims in serious cases—where offenders are sentenced to 12 months or more for a violent or sexual offence—the right to be consulted about the release plans of those who attacked them.

Reoffenders

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of notifiable offences is committed by persistent reoffenders; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 23 October 2002
	Research suggests that about half of notifiable offences are committed by persistent reoffenders; and that about 15 per cent. of notifiable offences are committed by the core group of offenders who will be targeted under the persistent offender scheme, due to start in February 2003. These estimates are derived from studies on the reconviction of offenders for more serious crimes, with assumptions made to relate them to unsolved crimes. Details of the relevant research can be found in Annex B of the White Paper XCriminal Justice: the Way Ahead" (February 2001).

Sex Offenders Act 1997

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when (a) child murderers and (b) sex offenders, who have been convicted abroad and who subsequently return to the Untied Kingdom, will have their details recorded on the sex offenders' register and be monitored and controlled in the same way that would occur if they had been convicted in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The review of Part One of the Sex Offenders Act 1997 looked at ways of both:
	requiring offenders convicted of sex offences abroad to register on their arrival in the UK; and
	imposing the registration requirements on offenders who commit offences of violence, including murder, when there is a sexual element to the offence.
	The Government consulted on the proposals contained in the review and responses are currently being analysed. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has announced that he intends to publish his proposals for reform of the law in the Autumn and to legislate specifically to enable sex offenders from abroad to be required to register. Such registration would attract the full range of mechanisms for monitoring and control as domestic sex offenders.
	The Government consulted on the proposals contained in the review and responses are currently being analysed. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has announced that he intends to publish his proposals for reform of the law in the Autumn and to legislate specifically to enable sex offenders from abroad to be required to register. Such registration would attract the full range of mechanisms for monitoring and control as domestic sex offenders.

Special Constables

Matthew Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables are members of the police forces in England and Wales as at the beginning of April; and what his estimates are of the numbers in (a) April 2003 and (b) April 2004.

John Denham: Data on special constabulary strength is collected for March and September each year. On 31 March 2002 there were 11,598 serving special constables in police forces in England and Wales.
	We have made it clear that the special constabulary has a vital role to play in reducing crime and providing reassurance to the public. The Government is committed to increasing the numbers of specials. We are working with the police service on a number of measures, including a new headline role, new training packages and good practice guidance, to help forces improve performance on the recruitment, management and deployment of specials. A number of XSpecials Champions" forces have been identified to take forward iniatives and support the good practice guidance. Deputy Chief Constable, Peter Fahy, of Surrey Police has agreed to lead the police on this work.

Street Crime

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent progress has been made in reducing street crime in Sussex.

John Denham: The Government's street crime initiative is targeted at the 10 forces which account for 83 per cent. of robbery in England and Wales. The initiative is serving to identify and remove any systemic blockages which currently hinder the tackling of street crime not only in those 10 areas, but across the country. Good practice in partnership working across the criminal justice system and between other agencies will be disseminated to all areas, including Sussex.
	The Government have recently published figures for the first six months of the initiative including a document detailing the achievements made through partnership working, the XDelivering the Street Crime Initiative: Partnership in Operation" can be found in the Library or on the Crime Reduction website on www.crimereduction.gov.uk/streetcrime.
	Examples of what has been achieved so far which have national implication are:
	The extension of section 130 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 to provide for remands of 12 to 16-year-olds. This power has now been extended to the rest of the country.
	The extension of the Bail Act 1976 and the Child and Young Persons Act 1969 to provide tagging while on bail for 12 to 17-year-olds. Tagging for 12 to 16-year-olds has now been extended to the rest of the country. The provision of door-steeping conditions while on bail which allows police officers to check on curfew conditions.
	To combat the theft of mobile phones, we have introduced legislation making the reprogramming of the phones unique identifying number (IMEI) illegal.
	Through this initiative we are sending out a clear signal that we will not tolerate crime on our streets, wherever it occurs.

Street Crime

Janet Dean: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on coordination of policies on street crime.

John Denham: The Street Crime Action Group, chaired by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister, has been meeting regularly since March. These meetings involve ministerial colleagues from across Government, the police and other criminal justice agencies, and local government. The group's discussions have focussed on how the police in the 10 areas with the highest levels of street crime can target the problem most effectively. They have also been on how the whole of Government can make a difference, how other agencies, the Crown Prosecution Service, the courts, the Youth Justice Board, schools, local authorities, health, education and social services can join together in a concerted effort to rid the streets of crime on a sustainable basis.

Street Crime

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the levels of street crime.

John Denham: On 14 October 2002, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced the results of the Street Crime Initiative to date. The figures show that, since the start of the initiative, street crime has fallen by 16 per cent. during the period April to September in the 10 police forces which accounted for over 80 per cent. of the robbery problem in 2001–02. For robbery, the more serious offence, the number of offences in September is 25 per cent. lower than March for the 10 forces as a whole.
	The new figures show that what was an escalating situation has been reversed over the period since the launch of the Street Crime Initiative. There has been a 10 per cent. reduction (4,600 offences) in the number of robberies during the period April to September, compared to the same period last year.
	The full report, XStreet Crime Initiative: Figures to the end of September", is available in the Library.

Strip Searching

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on action taken following the recent Prison Service report on strip searching; what assessment he has made of technological developments that might replace routine strip searching; what his estimate is of the cost of replacing strip searching by metal detectors at Her Majesty's Prison, Holloway; what guidance he has issued on Prison Service policy and minor changes in procedures; what research he has commissioned to explore further changes in strip searching procedures; and what arrangements he has made for the statistical recording and monitoring of strip searches.

Hilary Benn: The Review of Searching was an internal Prison Service review. The recommendations were accepted by the Prison Service Management Board and action to implement the recommendations, including the issue of policy guidance, has been or is being taken.
	The recommendations of the review were to:
	1. commission research into the effectiveness of strip searching;
	2. introduce procedures to ensure that new receptions understand they will be strip searched and what is involved;
	3. evaluate emerging technology;
	4. ensure statistical recording and monitoring of strip searches will be provided using future information technology (IT) to be introduced throughout the Service;
	5. issue guidance on strip searching of menstruating women;
	6. issue guidance on strip searching of pregnant, disabled or elderly prisoners;
	7. post-operative and bedridden prisoners, and those who are in severe pain or have recently given birth, should be strip searched only in exceptional circumstances;
	8. when the prison officer entry level training course is revised, include awareness of searching of under-18s;
	9. revise searching strategies and make specific provisions for young offender institutions (YOIs) continuing to hold juveniles. New strategies for prisons to be re-roled as juvenile centres;
	10. issue guidance that gender is not a genuine occupational qualification for cell searching;
	11. consider using the sideways stance for rub down searching of violent prisoners;
	12. ensure managers set and communicate realistic targets for rub down searches;
	13. cease the practice of randomly rub down searching official and professional visitors to Category C and D prisons and to most women's prisons and YOIs;
	14. draw a distinction between solicitors and barristers, and legal advisers who are not counted as solicitors for the purposes of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE), and should be searched as though they were domestic visitors;
	15. issue guidance on how to react to a passive drug dog indication; and
	16. issue guidance on when a prisoner may be in the 'sight' of the person of the opposite sex, for the purposes of Prison Rule 41(3).
	A copy of the review is available in the Library.
	12 of the 16 recommendations have now been implemented, and action on recommendations 2, 4, 11 and 14 is in hand.
	Recommendation 2 will be implemented when the Prison Service Order on Reception, which is currently being reviewed, is re-issued. Recommendations 11 and 14 will be covered in the revision of the Security Manual, which is under way. Recommendation 4 is that the Prison Service should make arrangements for the statistical recording and monitoring of strip searches. An IT solution to this requirement is being considered by the Prison Service's IT provider, although its achievement will depend on an assessment of the relative priority compared with other major IT developments needed by the service.
	Recommendation 3 was to set aside resources to evaluate technology to replace routine strip searching. The Prison Service has set aside resources to enable the Police Scientific Development Branch to do this. As present, there are no suitable available alternatives capable of finding all items found during a search, such as drugs, weapons or other contraband.
	There are no plans to use metal detectors in place of strip searching at Holloway prison, or elsewhere. Metal detectors are unable to detect drugs and any non-metallic contraband hidden beneath clothing.
	A Prison Service Instruction issued in August 2000 dealt with the minor changes in procedures covered in recommendations 5, 6, 7, 10, 12 and 16. Governors were asked to comply with recommendations 9, 13 and 15 in separate guidance and correspondence.
	The Prison Service has commissioned research into strip searching procedures and perceptions (to meet recommendation 1). The research will be carried out by a research team from Nottingham University. The research methodology is being developed, and the research will be carried out in a representative sample of prisons over the next nine months. The researchers are due to make their report to the Prison Service by September 2003.

Victim Impact Statements

Ann Coffey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Lord Chancellor's Department about victim impact statements.

Hilary Benn: The Lord Chancellor's Department (LCD) was closely involved in developing the new Victim Personal Statement Scheme, which was introduced in October 2001. Since then, the LCD has been represented on the Home Office led working group, which is overseeing the evaluation for the scheme.

Violent Crime

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have died from violence in each of the last five years.

Hilary Benn: holding answer 21 October 2002
	Homicide statistics are published annually in Chapter 4 of X'Criminal Statistics England and Wales'. Data are published on a calendar year basis up to 1997 and a financial year basis from 1997–98. The latest statistics relating to 2000–01 were published in December 2001 in XCriminal Statistics England and Wales 2000". Table 4.6 gives currently recorded homicides by age and gender of victim.
	Homicides of children under 16 years are given in the following table.
	
		
			  Age of victim  
			  Under one year One and under five years Five and under 16 years 
		
		
			 1996 27 20 33 
			 1997 33 20 30 
			 1997–98 30 16 26 
			 1998–99 40 22 25 
			 1999–2000 31 13 23 
			 2000–01 50 19 29 
		
	
	Note:
	Data as at 3 October 2001; figures are subject to revision as cases are dealt with by the police and by the courts or as further information becomes available.

Workers from Eire

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions there are on the entry into the UK of workers from Eire who have been accepted by that country from EU candidate countries.

Beverley Hughes: Workers from EU candidate States seeking entry to the United Kingdom (UK) through the Common Travel Area remain subject to immigration control. A work permit, and where appropriate a visa, would be required if they sought leave to enter the UK to work.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Benefits Offices

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of those employed in benefits offices were over 55 years old in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Ian McCartney: Information on the percentage of staff employed in benefits offices who were over 55 years old at 30 April in each of the last five years is in the following table.
	
		
			 Date Percentage of staff over 55 
		
		
			 April 2002 8.1 
			 April 2001 6.9 
			 April 2000 5.9 
			 April 1999 5.3 
			 April 1998 5.4 
		
	
	Note:
	2002 figures include staff from the former Employment Service because of the creation of Jobcentre Plus

Child Maintenance

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 15 October 2002, Official Report, column 635W, on child maintenance, for what reason the figure given was on a different basis to his Department's PSA target; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The figures are consistent with one another.
	The figures given in the answer of 15 October 2002, Official Report, column 635W, on child support maintenance, are based on aggregates of:
	(a) for 1997, figures, for both total number of parents with care in receipt of the relevant benefit and the number of such parents with care receiving maintenance, for income support, income-based jobseekers allowance, family credit and disability working allowance;
	(b) for 2002, figures, for both total number of parents with care in receipt of the relevant benefit and the number of such parents with care receiving maintenance, for income support, income-based Jobseekers allowance and working families tax credit.
	The Department's Public Services Agreement target refers only to clients who are in receipt of Income Support.

Departmental Job Vacancies

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many job vacancies there were at (a) administrative assistant or equivalent, (b) administrative officer or equivalent, (c) administrative executive officer, (d) higher executive officer, (e) senior executive officer, (f) grade 7 principal and (g) positions above grade 7 level in his Department for jobs located in (i) London and (ii) the South East between 1April 2001 and 31 March; and what is the total employment for each civil service grade.

Malcolm Wicks: The information on job vacancies is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The information on the total numbers of people employed for each Civil Service grade is in the table.
	
		Total number of people employed for each Civil Service grade
		
			  London South East  
			 Grade SIP WTE SIP WTE 
		
		
			 SCS 103 101 — — 
			 Grade 6 89 84 8 8 
			 Grade 7 287 279 22 22 
			 SEO 375 370 52 51 
			 HEO 1,035 1,007 357 335 
			 EO 5,215 4,942 2,868 2,609 
			 AO 6,616 6,150 5,348 4,789 
			 AA 1,214 1,127 831 729 
			 Total 14,934 14,060 9,486 8,543 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are point in time as at 31 March 2002.
	2. Figures are shown as headcount totals (Staff In Post) and whole-time equivalent totals (WTE).

Disability Living Allowance

John MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the basis is of his policy on payment to people who become disabled over the age of 65 years of the mobility component attached to disability benefits;
	(2)  what the basis is for the difference in the qualifying period for old claimants and younger claimants for disability benefits.

Maria Eagle: holding answer 21 October 2002
	Disability living allowance and attendance allowance are designed to provide a contribution towards the extra costs associated with severe disability. The benefits are assessed by looking at the disabled person's care needs and, in the case of disability living allowance, mobility needs.
	Disability living allowance was introduced in 1992 by bringing together the separate attendance and mobility allowances into a single benefit, which gave additional help to severely disabled people under age 65 for whom disability is more financially disruptive in terms of lost opportunity to earn and save.
	The vast majority of people can expect to have some restrictions as they get older and it is reasonable to expect people to make provision for this. Attendance allowance continues to be available for severely disabled people aged 65 or over who need help with personal care.
	Disability living allowance unified and simplified the six months qualifying test inherited from attendance allowance and the 12-month prospective qualifying test inherited from mobility allowance by providing that a severely disabled person must have satisfied the entitlement conditions throughout the past three months and be likely to continue to satisfy them throughout the next six months.
	Attendance allowance retains a six month qualifying period because a prospective test is less likely to be relevant to the disabilities—often degenerative—suffered by older people.
	The Government believe that this broad framework is fair and sensible, and in particular that it is right to give the most help to those who are severely disabled early in life and who may face limited opportunities to work and save.

Disability Living Allowance

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to allow recipients of disability living allowance to receive these benefits in another European Union country.

Maria Eagle: Disability living allowance is a non-contributory benefit designed to complement the substantial range of other help available to severely disabled people in the United Kingdom. It has always been Government policy, therefore, that it should be available only to people who normally reside here.
	Disability living allowance is listed as a 'special non-contributory' benefit in EEC Regulation 1408/71. Such benefits are granted exclusively in the member state in which a person resides. People covered by the regulation can access any special non-contributory benefits, which are available in their country of residence.

European Year of Disabled People

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the official British contribution to mark the forthcoming European Year of Disabled People.

Maria Eagle: The Government is contributing #1 million to fund the UK programme of activity to support the European Year of Disabled People.
	We have agreed an overall plan for the European Year, including a theme, XPromote Rights and Participation", funding, and a competitive bidding process for projects at local, regional and national level.
	Launch events are being planned for England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales. These will be held in January 03.
	We expect to announce the successful projects before the end of this year.

Ex-Service Personnel (Benefits)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to compel local authorities to give disregard for housing and council tax benefit to ex-service personnel.

Malcolm Wicks: We believe that the current disregard of #10 a week for war disablement and war widows' pensions in the income-related benefits strikes the right balance between acknowledging the special reasons for these pensions and prudent use of public funds.
	In addition to the statutory provision, local authorities have the discretionary power to disregard up to the full amount of any war pension in housing benefit and council tax benefit. Any amount on top of the #10 statutory disregard is funded from authorities' own resources.
	Local authorities, through their discretionary schemes, are best placed to determine the needs of their local residents, taking account of local priorities. We have no plans to change the present arrangements.

Incapacity Benefit

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many occupational pensioners have protected claims to incapacity benefit because their initial date of claim preceded the inception of the disallowance of such pensions; and how many of such initial claimants have subsequently returned to work.

Nick Brown: Incapacity benefit recipients with an occupational pension were not separately identified prior to 6 April 2001 as receipt of a pension was irrelevant to their claim. Therefore this information is not available.

Universal Bank

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 21 October 2002 to the hon. Member for Harwich, Official Report, column 14, on the Universal Bank, what alternative arrangements he will put in place for those people who will not be able to use the PIN number associated with a Post Office card account.

Malcolm Wicks: Customers will be able to choose from a range of account options. For some people the Post Office card account may not be the most suitable option and they may prefer to use an account with a cheque book or pass book. Customers will be supplied with information which clearly sets out their account options and which will enable them to decide which is right for them.
	Customers who do want a Post Office card account but are unable to cope with a PIN number will have the option of nominating someone else to collect their money for them. In these cases, a second card will be issued.
	We have always recognised that there will be a small group of people who cannot be paid directly into an account. We will develop an alternative method to pay this group of benefit recipients.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Modernisation

Andrew Turner: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will make an assessment of the effect of changes to the sitting hours of the House on the working conditions and remuneration of servants thereof.

Archy Kirkwood: As the financial and employing authority of the House, the Commission has been giving careful consideration to the possible effects of these proposals. The extent of the changes will depend on the decisions of the House on motions which are to be debated tomorrow. In turn, the effects of the changes will be determined by how the House, Committees and Members adapt to any new arrangements: for example, in the sitting times of Select Committees and the use of Library and catering facilities. The Commission is mindful of its obligations as an employer, and has already asked the Board of Management to assess effects on staff as any changes come into force.

HEALTH

Bed Blocking

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds were blocked in Salisbury district hospital in each month since January 2001.

Hazel Blears: Information on delayed discharges has been collected at health authority rather than individual trust level, on a quarterly basis. As of Quarter 1 of 2002–03 this information will be collected quarterly at primary care trust level. All available information has been placed in the Library.
	The Government recognises that delayed discharges are a problem across the south. Health and local authorities are working together to take action to improve the situation. In October 2001 the Government announced an extra #300 million in the Xcash for change" initiative to tackle delayed transfers of care. Last year Wiltshire received over #700,000, this year over #2 million.

Bed Blocking

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many beds were blocked in Taunton and Somerset NHS Trust beds in each month since January 2001.

Hazel Blears: Information on delayed discharges has been collected at health authority rather than individual trust level, on a quarterly basis. As of Quarter 1 of 2002–03 this information will be collected quarterly at primary care trust level. All available information has been placed in the Library.
	The Government recognises that delayed discharges are a problem across the south. Health and local authorities are working together to take action to improve the situation. In October 2001 the Government announced an extra #300 million in the 'Cash for Change' initiative to tackle delayed transfers of care. Last year Somerset received over #700,000, this year over #1.5 million.

Blood Products

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make available to the House the findings of his Department's inquiry relating to Lord Owen's period as a Minister at the Department in relation to blood products used for transfusion.

Hazel Blears: I have now instigated a comprehensive review of papers from the period in question, which is estimated to be completed early in the new year. The findings from the review will be made available to the House.

Breast Cancer

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the statistics on the incidence rate of breast cancer for (a) Lincolnshire and (b) each county in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years for (i) men and (ii) women.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply.
	The answer requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Mr. Cook to Mr. Mark Simmonds dated 28 October 2002
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the incidence rate of breast cancer in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) each county in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years for (i) men and (ii) women. (74922)
	Incidence rates of breast cancer in women are given in the first table, for each county in England, and for the whole of Wales. The most recent period for which these data are available in the form requested is the nine years from 1991 to 1999. Figures by county in Wales cannot be produced for a similar period because of changes to local government boundaries. The equivalent figures for Northern Ireland are not readily available.
	For men, the number of cases of breast cancer is too small to allow reliable calculation of incidence rates. Consequently, the annual numbers of newly registered cases of breast cancer in men, for the whole of England and for Wales, are given in the second table.
	
		Table 1: Age standardised incidence rate for breast cancer(22), females, English counties(23) and Wales, years of registration 1991 to 1999. -- Rate per 100,000 population(24)
		
			 Area 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 
		
		
			 Bedfordshire(25) 105 127 107 106 112 94 144 126 98 
			 Berkshire(25) 114 113 107 116 114 123 120 124 122 
			 Bristol/Bath area 110 99 97 98 104 98 113 116 126 
			 Buckinghamshire(25) 118 122 116 118 117 138 130 127 131 
			 Cambridgeshire(25) 135 114 109 121 101 110 111 112 128 
			 Cheshire(25) 106 103 98 93 110 100 99 102 113 
			 Cornwall (and Isles of Scilly) 94 100 89 117 116 108 123 115 132 
			 Cumbria 87 101 93 94 87 105 97 107 105 
			 Derbyshire(25) 113 104 101 106 100 101 106 107 113 
			 Devon(25) 104 108 106 93 104 104 113 121 127 
			 Dorset(25) 116 118 133 141 122 135 136 125 153 
			 Durham(25) 97 87 82 99 92 114 109 113 109 
			 East Sussex(25) 106 114 106 94 111 115 124 109 113 
			 Essex 105 99 93 107 111 108 124 113 118 
			 Gloucestershire 108 119 102 96 106 102 101 121 151 
			 Greater London (Metropolitan county) 102 105 98 100 108 106 119 116 114 
			 Greater Manchester (Metropolitan county) 100 104 102 102 105 109 107 114 114 
			 Hampshire(25) 106 114 125 125 121 117 125 115 110 
			 Herefordshire and Worcestershire(25) 97 118 110 116 101 114 124 115 112 
			 Hertfordshire 109 93 123 112 120 124 145 131 130 
			 Isle of Wight(25) 107 114 97 131 114 156 171 152 135 
			 Kent(25) 110 116 94 103 107 107 119 113 117 
			 Lancashire(25) 102 107 98 111 104 97 105 108 110 
			 Leicestershire(25) 98 110 107 94 89 86 98 98 113 
			 Lincolnshire 114 119 95 106 107 98 97 125 117 
			 Merseyside (Metropolitan county) 105 97 95 101 104 101 100 104 103 
			 Norfolk 110 104 111 107 110 115 117 107 125 
			 North Yorkshire(25) 104 104 86 100 103 108 116 115 120 
			 Northamptonshire 115 127 100 119 112 127 117 116 126 
			 Northumberland 94 97 98 75 65 69 62 107 107 
			 Nottinghamshire(25) 99 107 109 92 100 104 101 103 99 
			 Oxfordshire 126 141 124 132 115 126 117 127 145 
			 Shropshire(25) 110 128 115 110 112 113 102 108 125 
			 Somerset 114 116 138 97 93 100 108 118 143 
			 South Yorkshire (Metropolitan county) 108 106 97 97 91 92 98 96 111 
			 Staffordshire(25) 105 98 98 94 109 98 110 105 103 
			 Suffolk 105 99 101 119 109 108 110 118 120 
			 Surrey 105 109 110 107 119 113 130 115 125 
			 Tees Valley less Darlington 87 87 91 93 100 105 107 104 100 
			 The Humber 100 94 101 97 107 102 105 94 108 
			 Tyne and Wear (Metropolitan county) 95 99 83 87 80 91 95 109 104 
			 Warwickshire 106 111 102 115 101 93 116 116 112 
			 West Midlands (Metropolitan county) 109 106 101 99 101 101 100 112 110 
			 West Sussex 94 96 93 105 114 114 118 127 114 
			 West Yorkshire (Metropolitan county) 95 103 104 100 98 96 108 110 110 
			 Wiltshire(25) 100 136 132 113 116 128 130 119 136 
			 Wales 97 117 120 124 105 105 110 102 120 
		
	
	(22) For years 1991 to 1994, International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9), code 174. For years 1995 to 1999, International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), code C50.
	(23) Data are presented for English counties, and former counties, based on boundaries as at 1 April 2002.
	(24) Rates are based on mid-year population estimates produced following the 1991 Census.
	(25) Former county of.
	Note:
	Age standardisation is to the European Standard Population.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics
	
		Table 2: Number of new cases of breast cancer(26), males, England and Wales, years of registration 1991 to 1999 -- Number
		
			 Year England Wales 
		
		
			 1991 189 13 
			 1992 178 13 
			 1993 224 20 
			 1994 166 18 
			 1995 212 19 
			 1996 192 23 
			 1997 230 12 
			 1998 265 13 
			 1999 272 19 
		
	
	(26) For years 1991 to 1994, International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, code 175. For years 1995 to 1999, International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, code C50.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

Breast Cancer

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what was the death rate from breast cancer in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) each county in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years for (i) men and (ii) women.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply. 
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Mark Simmonds dated 28 October 2002
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question on the death rate from breast cancer in (a) Lincolnshire and (b) each county in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years for (i) men and (ii) women. (74923)
	Death rates from breast cancer in women are given in the first table, for each county in England, and for the whole of Wales. The most recent ten year period for which these data are available is 1992 to 2001. Figures by county in Wales cannot be produced for a ten year period because of changes to local government boundaries. The equivalent figures for Northern Ireland are not readily available.
	For men, the number of deaths from breast cancer is too small to allow reliable calculation of death rates. Consequently, the annual numbers of deaths from breast cancer in men, for the whole of England and for Wales, are given in the second table.
	
		Table 1: Age standardised mortality rate for deaths with an underlying cause of breast cancer(27), females, English counties(28) and Wales, 1992 to 2001(29) -- Rate per 100,000 population
		
			 Area 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 Bedfordshire 38 35 40 39 34 34 34 27 25 32 
			 Berkshire 42 40 35 44 34 35 39 33 32 33 
			 Bristol / Bath area 41 38 36 36 32 34 34 32 34 33 
			 Buckinghamshire 45 39 37 41 31 34 41 37 35 38 
			 Cambridgeshire 41 45 44 41 30 36 37 29 35 31 
			 Cheshire 43 39 38 32 34 32 32 32 27 32 
			 Cornwall (and Isle of Scilly) 36 37 33 43 36 37 31 30 32 28 
			 Cumbria 36 33 32 35 35 33 34 36 37 29 
			 Derbyshire 41 43 41 41 38 37 31 29 30 33 
			 Devon 40 40 39 37 36 33 33 27 33 32 
			 Dorset 42 34 38 38 26 35 33 30 33 25 
			 Durham 34 36 35 33 38 35 29 30 28 29 
			 East Sussex 35 37 40 38 34 37 36 31 32 32 
			 Essex 40 41 38 41 38 32 37 32 34 30 
			 Gloucestershire 37 34 38 41 36 40 34 35 35 32 
			 Greater London (Metropolitan County) 40 39 37 34 36 35 32 32 33 32 
			 Greater Manchester (Metropolitan 38 38 37 37 36 33 31 35 32 32 
			 County)   
			 Hampshire 41 38 36 34 36 36 36 36 33 30 
			 Herefordshire and Worcestershire 40 39 37 38 37 37 32 38 33 29 
			 Hertfordshire 33 39 38 42 35 36 41 36 35 35 
			 Isle of Wight 39 33 35 27 21 34 34 37 23 27 
			 Kent 43 44 40 37 33 31 33 33 32 33 
			 Lancashire 34 36 37 39 33 33 32 31 29 32 
			 Leicestershire 36 39 40 42 33 33 27 28 31 28 
			 Lincolnshire 43 40 39 41 34 37 32 32 32 35 
			 Merseyside(Metropolitan County) 37 36 36 35 36 38 35 35 32 31 
			 Norfolk 36 37 36 35 36 37 37 34 33 29 
			 North Yorkshire 40 36 29 30 38 30 31 34 36 30 
			 Northamptonshire 40 39 42 40 38 33 36 33 34 31 
			 Northumberland 42 34 46 27 36 29 34 31 28 33 
			 Nottinghamshire 46 36 40 38 37 36 37 33 27 35 
			 Oxfordshire 39 36 33 37 33 30 40 33 33 28 
			 Shropshire 40 41 36 38 36 43 35 33 36 30 
			 Somerset 36 40 37 36 36 35 32 30 31 29 
			 South Yorkshire (Metropolitan 38 39 44 36 39 35 31 33 29 32 
			 County)   
			 Staffordshire 40 40 40 42 40 31 36 34 32 27 
			 Suffolk 42 44 43 39 33 37 36 32 31 29 
			 Surrey 40 42 39 33 29 34 28 34 29 29 
			 Tees Valley less Darlington 39 37 41 35 34 36 32 27 33 30 
			 The Humber 38 38 38 35 43 33 33 30 29 29 
			 Tyne and Wear (Metropolitan County) 41 40 40 35 31 37 37 33 31 30 
			 Warwickshire 48 37 36 39 42 31 35 29 31 27 
			 West Midlands (Metropolitan County) 40 37 39 35 37 37 33 34 32 28 
			 West Sussex 39 36 36 33 36 27 38 32 34 30 
			 West Yorkshire (Metropolitan County) 35 35 34 34 31 30 28 29 28 28 
			 Wiltshire 38 41 37 38 41 39 35 35 28 32 
			 Wales 39 40 39 36 36 35 34 34 34 32 
		
	
	(27) For years 1992 to 2000, International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9), code 174 For 2001, International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), code C50
	(28) Data are presented for English counties, and former counties, based on boundaries as at 1st April 2002.
	(29) The introduction of ICD-10 for coding cause of death in 2001 means that the number of deaths for this year are not comparable with data for earlier years.
	Research has shown that the Introduction of ICD-10 led to an apparent increase of 2.7 per cent. in the number of deaths coded to female breast cancer.
	Rates for the years 1993 to 2000 have therefore been adjusted by 2.7 per cent. to produce comparable trends for this period.
	Data for 1992 are not adjusted because of coding changes introduced in 1993.
	(30) Rates for 2001 are based on mid-year population estimates produced following the 2001 Census.
	Rates for earlier years are based on mid-year population estimates produced following the 1991 Census.
	There is therefore a discontinuity in this time series. ONS will publish revised sub-national population estimates for 1991 to 2000 in February 2003.
	Age-standardisation is to the European Standard Population
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics
	
		Table 2: Number of deaths with an underlying cause of breast cancer(31), males, England and Wales, 1992 to 2001(32) -- Number
		
			 Year England Wales 
		
		
			 1992 85 7 
			 1993 81 6 
			 1994 82 5 
			 1995 74 6 
			 1996 63 4 
			 1997 65 2 
			 1998 73 2 
			 1999 63 2 
			 2000 68 3 
			 2001 77 3 
		
	
	(31) For years 1992 to 2000, International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9), code 175.For 2001, International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), code C50
	(32) The introduction of ICD-10 led to an apparent increase of 10 per cent. in the number of deaths coded to make breast cancer.The figures should therefore be interpreted with caution.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

Breast Cancer

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been spent on raising awareness of breast cancer since 1997; what progress has been made in cutting the number of deaths from breast cancer since 1997; and what care is available to people who suffer emotionally from the removal of a breast after treatment for breast cancer.

Hazel Blears: We congratulate the charities that work together on breast cancer awareness month and their efforts to raise awareness of the disease. In addition to these efforts, the Government have spent approximately #10,000 on a breast awareness teaching kit for primary care in conjunction with the European Community and the cancer research campaign. #38,500 has also been spent nationally on XBe Breast Aware" leaflets and #131,000 on information leaflets for women about breast screening.
	There has been a 6 per cent. reduction in deaths from breast cancer between 1997 and 2000. The annual numbers of deaths in England has decreased from 11,240 in 1997 to 10,609 in 2000. Over the same period the age standardised death rate for breast cancer has fallen by 7.7 per cent. from 1997 to 2000.
	The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is due to publish guidelines on supportive and palliative care in October 2002. This will include guidance on information, communication and psychological and social support. The NICE guidance is now available for consultation on the NICE website at www.nice.org.uk.
	The Patient Cancer Survey 1999–2000 found that women with breast cancer reported generally positive experiences of breast cancer services.

Cancer

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations his Department has received concerning the number of cancer patients awaiting radiotherapy treatment but not included on official NHS waiting lists.

Hazel Blears: The Department has received a number of informal representations about waiting times for radiotherapy. In order to tackle radiotherapy waiting times, we are making unprecedented investment in new radiotherapy facilities, streamlining care processes through the cancer services collaborative and working to best utilise the current workforce and to increase the number of staff in post and in training.

Cancer

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations his Department has received concerning the effectiveness of new systems for logging data relating to cancer treatment introduced under the NHS cancer plan; and if he will make a statement on these systems.

Hazel Blears: No representations have been received. Monitoring the national health service cancer plan targets robustly and effectively requires the ability to track information across the patient pathway of care, from urgent general practitioner referral for suspected cancer, to their first definitive treatment. The Department, in collaboration with the NHS information authority, is developing a national database so that this data can be collated nationally and locally. The database is currently undergoing user testing in the NHS prior to general introduction.

Cancer

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the waiting list for breast cancer was for each month since September 2002; and how many breast cancer patients were tested to ascertain their suitability for a NICE-approved treatment for each of these months;
	(2)  what the waiting lists for breast cancer were for each month since September 2000; and how many (a) prostrate, (b) ovarian and (c) lung cancer patients were tested to ascertain their suitability for a NICE-approved treatment in each of these months;
	(3)  what the waiting lists for breast cancer were for each month since September 2000; and how many leukaemia patients were tested to ascertain their suitability for a NICE-approved treatment in each of these months.

Hazel Blears: Data on waiting lists for breast, leukaemia, prostate, ovarian and lung cancer for each month since September 2000 are not collected centrally.
	The cancer plan sets out waiting times targets for cancer treatment that will be implemented over the next five years. By 2005, all cancer patients will wait a maximum of one month from diagnosis to treatment and a maximum of two months from urgent general practitioner referral to treatment. We are currently developing systems to monitor performance against this target.
	In addition, a new target of one month from diagnosis to first treatment for breast cancer was introduced in December 2001. Central monitoring of performance against this target began in January 2002 with data being collected quarterly. The table shows quarterly performance against this target.
	
		Breast cancer one month from diagnosis to treatment
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 Quarter 4 2001–02 94.2 
			 Quarter 1 2002–03 94.4 
		
	
	The Department does not collect information about the suitability of patients for specific treatments. The responsibility for arranging tests and deciding what treatment is best for the patient rests with the clinicians concerned. This is done in consultation with the patient and is informed by the patient's clinical history. Relevant guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence would also be taken into account. Discussions between patients and clinicians about suitable treatments are confidential.

Cancer

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the number of people diagnosed with lung cancer since 1992; and how this compares with other (a) Commonwealth and (b) EU countries;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the number of people diagnosed with leukaemia since 1992; and how this compares with other (a) Commonwealth and (b) EU countries;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the number of people diagnosed with (a) breast cancer, (b) ovarian cancer, (c) leukaemia, (d) prostate cancer and (e) lung cancer since 1992; and how this compares with other (i) Commonwealth and (ii) EU countries;
	(4)  what assessment he has made of the number of people diagnosed with prostate cancer since 1992; and how this compares with other (a) Commonwealth and (b) EU countries.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply. 
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Gregory Barker, dated 28 October 2002
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent questions concerning what assessment has made of the number of people diagnosed with various types of cancer since 1992; and how these figures compares with other (i) Commonwealth and (ii) EU countries. (75831,75832, 75833, 75834).
	Figures on the numbers of people diagnosed with cancers of the breast, lung, ovary and prostate, and leukaemia in the EU countries can be found on the EUCAN database. This database contains information for the latest year for which cancer incidence, mortality and population data are available in the 15 Member States of the European Union; at present the latest data available are for 1997. The EUCAN database is available on the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) website at:
	Comparable data for the Commonwealth countries can be found on the GLOBOCAN database. The GLOBOCAN 2000 database contains estimates of cancer incidence, mortality and prevalence worldwide for 2000. The GLOBOCAN 2000 database is also available on the IARC website (at the same address).
	Figures for the UK are included on both of these databases in the format which allows comparison with other countries.

Cancer Care

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will give a breakdown of the component parts of the national cancer waiting lists as published by the NHS.

Hazel Blears: The NHS cancer plan set out new goals to reduce waiting times for cancer treatment. The ultimate goal is that no one should wait longer than one month from an urgent general practitioner referral for suspected cancer to the beginning of treatment except for a good clinical reason or through patient choice.
	The first step in reducing cancer waiting times was the introduction of the two week waiting time standard from urgent general practitioner (GP) referral to out-patient appointment for cases of suspected breast cancer from April 1999. The two week standard was extended to all other urgent cases of suspected cancer during 2000.
	From December 2001 targets of a one month maximum wait from diagnosis to first treatment for breast cancer and a one month maximum wait from urgent general practitioner referral to first treatment for children's cancers, testicular cancer and acute leukaemia were introduced. By 2005 the target of a maximum two month wait from urgent GP referral to first treatment and a one-month wait from diagnosis to first treatment for will cover all cancers.
	Existing monitoring arrangements cover the two week standard and the December 2001 targets.

Cancer Care

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations his Department has received concerning its target to introduce 1,000 new cancer consultants to the NHS by 2006.

Hazel Blears: The Department has received a number of informal representations about the expansion of the cancer workforce. The national cancer director works closely with cancer networks, professional organisations and workforce development confederations to ensure that national decisions about workforce planning reflect the needs of the service. The table shows good progress in increasing the number of doctors working in cancer services. This increase means the national health service is on track to hit the target set out in the cancer plan of nearly 1,000 extra cancer consultants by 2006.
	
		Hospital medical consultants within selected specialties relating to cancer—England
		
			  Headcount  
			  1999 March 2002 
		
		
			 All Cancer specialties 3,360 3,860 
			 Of which   
			 Clinical oncology 300 320 
			 Clinical radiology 1,510 1,680 
			 Haematology 510 580 
			 Histopathology 840 960 
			 Medical oncology 110 180 
			 Palliative medicine 90 150 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census

Cancer Care

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what representations his Department has received concerning the transparency of cancer fund allocation within NHS health authorities in England and Wales;
	(2)  what steps his Department is taking to ensure greater transparency on how public money for cancer is spent;
	(3)  what procedures are in place to ensure that funds awarded for cancer services within NHS health authorities in England and Wales are distributed accordingly and not allocated to other areas of health care.

Hazel Blears: The Department and the national cancer director, Professor Mike Richards, have received both formal and informal representations about cancer funding from national health service and voluntary organisations as well as individual clinicians and managers providing cancer care. Professor Richards is working with chief executives of strategic health authorities to ensure that the money gets through to cancer services and that cancer plan targets are met.
	We are devolving power from the centre to locally run services, to allow the freedom to innovate and improve care for patients. The increased resources that we have made available and will continue to make available to support the implementation of the cancer plan will move to the NHS frontline. Primary care trusts will have freedom to decide where NHS resources are best spent, but they will need to account publicly for how they have used resources against the test of high clinical standards and good value for money.

Cancer Care

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations his Department has received concerning the effectiveness of the peer review teams introduced under the NHS Cancer Plan.

Hazel Blears: The Department has received a number of informal comments about the 2000–01 peer review process. A formal evaluation of the peer review process has been commissioned. Decisions about the future of the process will take all these views into consideration.

Cardiac Surgery

Richard Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has given to primary care trusts to allow patients waiting for cardiac surgery to be treated out of their area in (a) the UK and (b) abroad.

Hazel Blears: The following guidance on domestic and overseas treatment has been issued to primary care trusts:
	Extending Choice for Patients—Establishing the Heart Surgery Scheme (March 2002)
	Further Advice and Guidance (April 2002)
	Additional Revenue Allocations (April 2002)
	Update and Next Steps (June 2002)
	Copies of the guidance have been placed in the Library.

Departmental Websites

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the web site links associated with his Department, including sites now dormant or closed, and indicating whether they are live, dormant or closed; what the start up costs were for each site listed; what the operating costs were in each year since start up for each site; which company hosted each site; what assessment takes place for each site; which company does the assessment; if he will place the assessment reports in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: A list of websites associated with the Department has been placed in the Library.
	There would be a disproportionate cost associated with identifying the start up costs, the hosting arrangements and what assessment takes place for each site listed. However,we are able to provide the operating costs for all the websites hosted by the Department. These are shown in the table:
	
		
			 Financial Year Hosting and maintenance (#k) Estimated staff costs (#k) (#k) 
		
		
			 1998–99 20.9 178.9 199.8 
			 1999–00 54.3 229.4 283.7 
			 2000–01 49.3 277.1 326.4 
			 2001–02 73.3 339.7 400.8 
			 2002–03 (to 30.09.02) 57.5 169.8 227.3 
		
	
	The current hosting supplier is EDS Ltd. The Office of Government Commerce provided hosting until the end of June 2002. EDS provide a monthly service report which includes a web performance return.

Domiciliary Oxygen Service

Jim Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when he intends to publish the review of the Domiciliary Oxygen Service;
	(2)  whether he intends to accept the recommendations of the Royal College of Physicians made in their 1999 guidance Domiciliary Oxygen Therapy Services;
	(3)  what analysis has been undertaken of the benefits of liquid oxygen to those with respiratory problems; and if he will introduce a three modality system of oxygen supply for such patients.

David Lammy: The review of the domiciliary oxygen service has not yet been concluded. There are no plans at present to change the arrangements under which oxygen is provided for patients who need it. The therapeutic benefits of oxygen do not depend on the modality of oxygen supply.

Drug Misuse

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will set out for each of the last five years the amount of expenditure on preventative measures to tackle the misuse of (a) alcohol, (b) tobacco, (c) cannabis, (d) ecstasy, (e) amphetamines, (f) LSD, (g) heroin, (h) cocaine and (i) crack cocaine.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 23 October 2002
	Most of the work on the prevention of alcohol misuse is undertaken at local level by National Health Service (NHS) health promotion units and primary health care professionals such as general practitioners and practice nurses. It is not possible to separately identify the funds devoted to this alcohol misuse prevention work. Over the period 1999–2003 a total of #76 million will have been invested in the NHS smoking cessation services. Actual spending on the public education campaign is #46 million with #13 million committed for 2002–03.
	It should be noted that figures listed below for the years after 1998 when the Government's drug strategy was launched are a Department of Health contribution to overall prevention funding. Other Government Departments, in particular the Home Office and the Department for Education and Skills, also provide substantial funding.
	
		
			  #  
		
		
			 1998/99 Around 1 .5m made available for national campaigns 
			 1 999/00 Around 1 .5m made available for national campaigns 
			 2000/01 Around 1 .5m made available for national campaigns 
			 2001/02 Around 1 .5m made available for national campaigns. In addition 11 .164m ring fenced money for drug prevention spent. 
			 2002/03 Around 1 .5m made available for national campaigns. In addition 15. 75m ring fenced money for drug prevention allocated. 
		
	
	Prior to 2001–02, drug prevention funding was not ring fenced. However health and local authorities could use mainstreamed funds to finance drug prevention.

GP Czar

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many visits the GP Czar has made to Portsmouth South; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: Professor David Colin-Thome is the national clinical director of primary care for England as well as a practising general practitioner.
	He has not visited Portsmouth South during his time in office, nor been invited to do so.

Haemophilia

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he intends to make a decision before the end of 2002 on whether to make recombinant available to all people with haemophilia.

Hazel Blears: We hope to announce our decision on the availability of recombinant before the end of 2002.

Haemophilia

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent further consideration he has given to making recombinant clotting factors available to all haemophilia patients in England.

Hazel Blears: The Government is still considering whether to make recombinant clotting factors available to all haemophiliacs in England taking full account of representations made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on haemophilia, the haemophilia society, the United Kingdom haemophilia centre doctors organisation and others. We hope to announce our decision before the end of 2002.

Health Care (Portsmouth)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when the 2002–03 budget was (a) finalised and (b) published for the (i) Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust and (ii) Portsmouth City Primary Care Trust; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans he has to bring an end to the Portsmouth Hospitals NHS trust deficit; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The management of the trust is a matter for the local health community managing within the context of XShifting the Balance of Power", local partnership and agreement. Work is under way across the whole health economy to identify recurrent solutions to address the deficit.
	I am advised by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority that the Portsmouth Hospitals National Health Service Trust board approved initial budgets for 2002–03 at its meeting on 25 April 2002. There were a number of areas of service development that required additional investment, which have been agreed in the last two months. In the case of Portsmouth City Primary Care Trust, the outline budget was presented to its board at a public meeting in June.
	The public release of details of the proposed budget and the subsequent publication of audited accounts are matters for each individual organisation to determine.

Meat and Poultry

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the Government's planned expenditure is on training in the meat and poultry sectors in (a) 2002–03, (b) 2003–04 and (c) 2004–05; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 15 October 2002
	I have been asked to reply.
	The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) funds generic training leading to a national qualification. While there is a small volume of LSC-supported vocational training for new entrants to the meat and poultry sector, it is likely that the bulk of training in this sector will be in-service and not supported by the LSC.
	Sector Skills Councils, which are replacing National Training Organisations, have a responsibility to work with employers to identify training needs and ways of meeting them. Lantra has been designated as a trailblazer sector skills council covering environmental and land-based industries, including agricultural production. Lantra receives some financial support from Defra and DfES, though it will principally be for industry sectors to generate funds for training. The meat and poultry sectors will also benefit from publicly-funded services, such as Defra's Farm Business Advice Service.
	The Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC) a Defra non-departmental public body (NDPB), funded by statutory levy, has the general duty of promoting greater efficiency in the livestock industry and the livestock products industry, and other functions which include:
	1. In sections of the livestock industry or livestock products industry for which no industrial training board has been established, encouraging and promoting the training of employees
	2. Co-operating with the industrial training board for any other sector of either industry in the improvement of the training of employees in that section of the industry. (Agriculture Act 1967, Schedule 1, paragraph 17)
	The MLC therefore fund training in the red meat sector, both directly and through support to the Meat Training Council (formerly a national training organisation), discussions are under way regarding its possible inclusion in a larger food and drink SSC). The MLC planned expenditure on training during the periods in question is:
	
		
			  # 
		
		
			 2002–03 160,000 (forecast) 
			 2003–04 175,000 (indicative)  
			 2004–05 200,000 (indicative)

Mental Health

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the annual expenditure per person under the age of 18 on mental health services in (a) England, (b) each NHS region and (c) each health authority in each of the last six years.

Jacqui Smith: The requested information is not collected.

National Institute for Clinical Excellence

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to reduce delays in obtaining NICE guidance for cancer treatments.

Hazel Blears: When the Department becomes aware of an impending licence for a significant new cancer treatment it is considered for referral to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE). The appraisal process takes a minimum of 54 weeks from referral to completion as it has been designed to allow the full participation of patients, clinicians, companies and stakeholders. NICE is fully aware of the need to ensure that the process is as streamlined as possible, without losing any of the important safeguards it contains, in order to publish guidance soon after the treatments are launched.

Physical Activity Levels

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his Department is doing to encourage improved health and preventative health programmes through increased physical activity.

Hazel Blears: The Government recognises the importance of physical activity to improving health and has set up a programme of activity to increase rates of physical activity. Together with the Countryside Agency and Sport England, the Department is developing a programme of local exercise action pilots (LEAPs), which will test out different community approaches to increasing physical activity. The results will inform and lead action on physical activity across the National Health service.
	Local strategies to increase physical activity are being developed as part of the national service framework for coronary heart disease. To support the development of local physical activity programmes, the Department published a national quality assurance framework for exercise referral systems in April 2001. This offers guidance to primary care and fitness professionals who work together to offer tailored exercise programmes to patients whose health would benefit from increased exercise.

Physical Activity Levels

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has considered the case for primary care trusts having physical activity co-ordinators within their public health teams.

Hazel Blears: The issue of whether Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) should appoint physical activity co-ordinators as part of their public health teams is a matter for local determination. However, what is clear is that PCTs have a role in delivering improvements to public health, including increasing rates of physical activity. In order to assist PCTs in this, together with the Countryside Agency and Sport England, the Department is developing a programme of local exercise action pilots (LEAPs) to test out different approaches to increasing physical activity.
	This programme will fund one pilot in each of the nine regions in England. Pilots will be led by PCTs and based in neighbourhood renewal areas and some will also involve sport action zones. The ongoing results will inform and lead action on physical activity across the National Health Service.

Physical Activity Levels

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department has considered the case for a cross departmental strategy at national, regional and local level for joined-up action and funding to improve physical activity levels.

Hazel Blears: The Government recognises the importance of a strategic approach in order to increase rates of physical activity. This Department works closely with other Government Departments to ensure that policy initiatives on health, sport and recreation, education and transport are co-ordinated and contribute to our shared goal of increasing access and rates of physical activity. This has been backed up by significant investment, including #581 million from the new opportunities fund for a physical education and sports programme, #459 million to transform physical education, school sport and club links over the next three years and #2.5 million for a new programme of local exercise action pilots, led by primary care trusts (PCTs).
	At a national level, Ministers from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Department for Education and Skills and the Department of Health have regular monthly meetings to ensure joint working and co-ordination on issues relating to physical activity and sport. The Department of Health has also set up a national alliance on physical activity that draws together policy makers, experts and practitioners to share local experiences and learning on strategies, plans and practices to increase physical activity.
	At a regional level the positioning of regional directors of public health and their teams in the Government offices of the regions provides a very real opportunity to make connections across policy areas that will support increased physical activity.
	Locally, PCTs have a key responsibility for ensuring that a strategic approach is taken to increasing physical activity through their involvement in local strategic partnerships.

Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on prescribing the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in each of the last three years, broken down by NHS trust; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Information on the net ingredient cost of pneumococcal vaccines prescribed in general practitioners practices in England, by Health Authority, 2000 and 2001 has been placed in the Library.
	Data is taken from the prescribing analyses and cost system from the prescription pricing authority and only available by health authority.

Post-Surgery Radiotherapy

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for post-surgery radiotherapy in (a) Southampton Hospital and (b) the nearest three units which provide similar services has been in the last year for which figures are available; what clinical guidance is on such waiting times; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The information requested on waiting times for post surgery radiotherapy is not collected centrally.
	The NHS Cancer Plan sets out new goals to reduce waiting times for diagnosis and treatment. The ultimate goal is that no one should wait longer than one month from an urgent referral for suspected cancer to the beginning of treatment, except for a good clinical reason or through patient choice. In order to tackle radiotherapy waiting times we are making unprecedented investment in new radiotherapy facilities, streamlining care processes through the cancer services collaborative and working to best utilise the current workforce and to increase the number of staff in post and in training.

Palliative Care

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what representations his Department has received concerning the success of the 'education and support programme for district and community nurses in the principles and practice of palliative care;
	(2)  how many proposals have been received for the 'education and support programme for district and community nurses in the principles and practice of palliative care'; and what the source of these proposals was.

Hazel Blears: Funding of #6 million over three years has been made available to train and support district and community nurses in the principles and practice of palliative care. Bids were invited in April 2001 with one project from each cancer network being chosen. The projects were required to reflect collaboration between education provider(s); training recipients; specialist palliative healthcare professionals; and education consortia/confederations and demonstrate a multi-professional approach to the training provision. Details of the projects can be found on the web at www.doh.gov/cancer/edusup.htm
	We are in the second year of the programme. All reports received so far suggest that the project is proving beneficial and is being well received by district and community nurses. The project will be evaluated.

Prostate Cancer

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when a full review will be published on current progress in implementing the Government Prostate Cancer Programme issued in December 2000.

Hazel Blears: Good progress has been made since the national health service prostate cancer programme was published on 6 September 2000. All targets within the programme have been achieved, and the planned increase in consultant urologists is currently being exceeded.

Public Health Laboratory Service

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received from (a) Public Health Laboratory Service Management and (b) trades unions concerning (i) the transfer of local public health laboratories from Public Health Laboratory Service central organisation to hospital trusts; and (ii) the timing of implementation of the transfer; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: A discussion document on the proposals was issued in June 2002, and representations were received from the PHLS Board and from Amicus and the British Medical Association on both the detail of the proposals and on the proposed timing. We sought to address issues raised in the final decisions about which laboratories would transfer to the NHS from 1 April 2003. This was announced on 3 September. Representations have since been received from Unison.

Radioactive Xenon Gas

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what experiments have been conducted using the release of radioactive xenon gas from Harwell Atomic Energy Research Laboratories.

Brian Wilson: I have been asked to reply.
	I understand from the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority that a short series of tests using mildly radioactive xenon gas were carried out in April 1961, in order to improve the understanding of weather conditions on the dispersal of airborne materials.

Radiographers

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions his Department has had with the Health Professions Council regarding the increase in the retention fee for radiographers; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: Holding reply issued on Monday 21 October
	The Health Professions Council (HPC) ended a three month public consultation exercise on 30 September 2002. One of the issues for consultation was the level at which the HPC should set its fees from April 2003. The Department provided a consolidated response to the consultation of which the issue of the level of fees formed part. The HPC will analyse the feedback it has received and produce a document summarising the replies, which they aim to publish in November.

Radiotherapy

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people have been waiting more than (a) six, (b) 12 and (c) 18 months for radiotherapy treatment in each English health authority area;
	(2)  whether waiting times for radiotherapy are reported as part of the waiting times for (a) inpatients and (b) outpatients; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answers 24 October 2002
	Waiting times for radiotherapy treatment are not collected centrally. In order to tackle radiotherapy waiting times, we are making unprecedented investment in new radiotherapy facilities, streamlining care processes through the cancer services collaborative and working to best utilise the current workforce and to increase the number of staff in post and in training.

Renal Services (Portsmouth)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has received the South East Health Board Review Panel's analysis of and recommendations for the Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust Renal Services; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Officials of the Department's directorate of health and social care for the south of England have received the report on Portsmouth renal services by the external review panel, commissioned by the regional director of public health for the south east. In response to the report Portsmouth hospitals national health service trust has produced a detailed action plan. Progress against it is being closely monitored by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight health strategic health authority and the directorate of health and social care (south).

Salisbury Alcohol and Drugs Advisory Service

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the financial position of the Salisbury Alcohol and Drugs Advisory Service; and what the waiting time is for an appointment.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 15 October 2002
	I understand that an additional #60,000 has been made available to Salisbury alcohol and drugs advisory service (SADAS) in recognition of the shortfall in the original allocation for 2002–03. This will enable the strengthening of staffing resources, which will allow them to improve all their services, including detoxification, capacity and structured day care provision.
	SADAS is taking part in the combined national treatment agency and modernisation agency waiting times pilot. The current waiting times being reported by SADAS are shown in the table.
	
		
			  Waiting times 
		
		
			 Highest priority cases 1–2 weeks 
			 Treatment for under 25 year olds Up to 8 weeks 
			 Arrest referral Up to 12 weeks 
			 Low risk Up to 52 weeks 
		
	
	It should be noted that the figures above measure the time from referral to treatment, and not from the first appointment, which may have occurred at an earlier date.

Smallpox Vaccine

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much he estimates it would cost clinically to test the smallpox vaccine to be supplied by Powderject.

John Hutton: The Government have made no estimate of the cost of clinical trials for this vaccine, as the costs of any such trials normally fall to the supplying company.
	There are currently no proposals for clinical trials of this vaccine in the United Kingdom, and the Government are not meeting any costs for any future limited clinical trials that might be required in fulfilment of an application for a product licence for smallpox vaccine supplied by Powderject Pharmaceuticals.
	Since smallpox does not currently exist in the population, trials of protective efficacy are not possible. Therefore, the likely protective efficacy of a new smallpox vaccine must be inferred from other parameters. Clinical trials are not mandatory for unlicensed vaccines.
	The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control are conducting independent potency and quality checks on the new vaccine prior to the vaccine being finally accepted.

Smoking

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the percentage smoking rates in each year since 1990 in (a) England and (b) each NHS region for (i) all adults, (ii) non-manual groups and (iii) manual groups.

Hazel Blears: Information on smoking prevalence for adults is obtained from the general household survey; questions on smoking were included every two years. The most recent results are for 2000. Information on smoking prevalence in non-manual and manual groups is not readily available by region; sample sizes for some regions are relatively small and would not be very robust. The available information is given in the tables.
	
		Table 1: Prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults aged 16 and over, by socio-economic group, England 1990 to 2000 -- Percentage
		
			  Unweighted(33) Weighted(33)  
			  1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 1998 2000 
		
		
			 Non-manual 24 23 21 22 21 22 23 
			 Manual 35 33 32 34 32 33 31 
			 Total 29 28 26 28 27 28 27 
			 Weighted base (000s) — 35,290 35,452 
			 Unweighted base 15,002 15,663 14,447 13,381 12,295 — 11,829 
		
	
	(33) From 2000, ONS have weighted the data to compensate for under-representation of people in some groups (for example young men). The 2000 results are provided based on weighted data only. The results based on weighted and unweighted data are not directly comparable, so the results for 1998 have been presented as weighted, and as unweighted data.
	Note:
	In this table, the non-manual social-economic group category includes professionals, employers and managers, and intermediate non-manual and junior non-manual workers. The manual social-economic group category includes skilled manual (including foreman and supervisors) and own account non-professional, semi-skilled manual and personal service, and unskilled manual workers.
	Source:
	ONS General Household Surveys, 1990 to 2000.
	
		Table 2: Prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults aged 16 and over, by standard region England, 1990 to 2000 -- Percentage
		
			  Weighted(34) Unweighted(34) Weighted Unweighted 
			 Region 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 1998 2000 Base 2000 (000) Sample 2000 
		
		
			 North 32 31 28 31 27 28 28 2,557 85 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 29 28 28 28 28 29 28 3,771 1,25 
			 North West 33 30 27 30 31 32 30 4,472 1,52 
			 East Midlands 28 25 26 26 26 27 25 2,895 99 
			 West Midlands 29 26 24 28 28 29 26 3,925 1,30 
			 East Anglia 26 27 24 25 22 23 26 1,733 60 
			 Greater London 31 29 29 29 30 31 27 5,253 1,50 
			 Outer Metropolitan area 29 26 25 25 24 25 25 8,201 2,80 
			 Outer South East 28 28 27 28  
			 South West 27 25 24 27 24 25 27 3,724 1,30 
			 All England 29 28 26 28 27 28 27 36,531 12,15 
		
	
	(34) See notes to table 1 re: weighting.
	Source:
	ONS General Household Survey 2000, published as XLiving in Britain", results from the 2000 General Household Survey. Available from the internet at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/lib/index.html

Suicide

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the data available on death rates from (a) suicide and (b) undetermined injury in each year since 1996.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply. 
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from L. Cook to Dr. Evan Harris, dated 28 October 2002
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your enquiry about the publication of death rates from (a) suicide and (b) undetermined injury in each year since 1996. (75641)
	These data were published in Table 3 of Mortality Statistics from injury and poisoning 2000, Series DH4 no. 25 which is available on the National Statistics website at hhttp://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme—health/DH4—NO25/DH4—No25.pdf.

Heart Surgery Waiting Lists

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people died in 2001 while on the waiting list for heart surgery; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 24 October 2002
	The information requested is not collected centrally.

Waiting Times

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether (a) CT scans and (b) MRI scans are included in figures for (i) in-patient and (ii) out-patient waiting times; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 24 October 2002
	Information on computerised tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans is not collected centrally. Waiting times for consultant-led in-patient elective admissions and consultant-led first out-patient appointments, following general practitioner referral, are collected on the consultant's main specialty not by procedure. CT scans and MRI scans will be included in the figures if they take place as an elective in-patient admission or as a first out-patient appointment, but will not be separately identifiable.

Waiting Times

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are waiting for a neuro-physiology (a) diagnostic test and (b) consultant appointment at (i) Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton and (ii) Yeovil District Hospital; how many of these have waited more than (A) three, (B) six, (C) nine, (D) 12, (E) 15, (F) 18 and (G) 24 months; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 24 October 2002
	Information is not collected centrally on the number of patients waiting for diagnostic tests and consultant appointments.
	Information is collected on waiting times for first out-patient appointment for clinical neuro-physiology consultant specialty. There are no data held centrally for Taunton and Somerset National Health Service Trust for this specialty. For East Somerset NHS Trust there were no patients waiting over 13 weeks as at 30 June 2002, the most recent date for which information is available .

Waiting Times

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in each NHS Trust have been waiting more than (a) six, (b) 12, (c) 18 and (d) 24 months for (i) CT and (ii) MRI scans; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 24 October 2000
	Information on waiting times for magnetic resource imaging (MRI) scans is not collected centrally. The length of time that a patient may have to wait for any scan is dependent on their clinical condition. Emergency cases need to be seen immediately. Other cases will be carried out as quickly as possible, however this is dependent on the clinical priority of all the remaining patients waiting to be scanned. To increase the capacity of diagnostic services, we are making unprecedented investment for the provision of new and replacement scanners. By 2004, 88 new MRI scanners and 186 new computed tomography (CT) scanners will have been delivered through central purchasing initiatives. In addition to this, workforce initiatives are underway that aim to improve recruitment and retention of staff and we are streamlining the way care is delivered through the cancer services collaborative.

Welfare Food Scheme

Mr. Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made on the plans to reform the welfare food scheme to help ensure children from poorer families have a healthier start in life.

Hazel Blears: We have today published proposals to reform the welfare food scheme under the title Healthy Start.
	The welfare food scheme has done great service for the last 60 years in providing milk and vitamins, primarily to expectant and nursing mothers, babies and children under five years of age in low income families. In line with our commitment in The NHS Plan, we are seeking to bring the scheme up to date in line with the latest expert advice on nutrition. Our proposals for this #142 million scheme will broaden the nutritional base of the scheme and offer a wider choice to families. We propose to do this through the introduction of a fixed face value voucher that can be exchanged for fruit and vegetables, cereal based foods, other foods suitable for weaning, as well as milk and infant formula. We are also proposing to link the scheme more closely with the NHS through antenatal and post-natal clinics. The new scheme will provide a healthier start for children from poorer families and link with our wider efforts to tackle health inequalities, and improve nutrition and food access.
	We are already working with the devolved administrations and actively seeking the views of interested parties and stakeholders on these proposals, including the users of the scheme, health professionals, the food and dairy industry and small firms. This consultation will run until 13 December.
	Copies of the Healthy Start document are available in the Library and on the Department's website at www.doh.gov.uk/healthystart.

DEFENCE

Anti-tank Missiles

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 16 October 2002, ref: 73313, what steps he will take to find the anti-tank missiles lost in the Bristol Channel.

Lewis Moonie: Two extensive searches of the range have failed to locate the lost pallet of munitions that contained the anti-tank missiles. The most recent of these was conducted between 7 and 11 October 2002 by a six-strong team from the Royal Navy Southern Diving Group. A report into the findings of this latest search is currently being prepared and its findings will determine the Ministry of Defence's next steps.

C41STAR

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the value of the contracts for the two studies awarded to Logica and BAE Systems for the C41STAR is; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The C4ISTAR contracts awarded in August and September 2002 to Logica and BAE Systems each have a maximum value of #700,000.

Condoms

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many condoms have been purchased by his Department for non-medical purposes in each of the last five years; and what his Department's planned requirement is for each of the next five years.

Lewis Moonie: Condoms are not purchased for non-medical purposes. The Ministry of Defence purchases condoms for medical use. They are supplied to service personnel for the prevention of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases and as a form of contraception.

Department Job Vacancies

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many job vacancies there were at (a) administrative assistant or equivalent, (b) administrative officer or equivalent, (c) administrative executive officer, (d) higher executive officer, (e) senior executive officer, (f) grade 7 principal, and (g) all positions above grade 7 level in his Department for jobs located in (i) London and (ii) the south east between 1 April and 31 March 2001; and what is the total employment for each Civil Service grade.

Lewis Moonie: Information on the number of job vacancies is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The available information is given in the table, showing the position as at April 2001.
	
		
			  London region South east region  
			 Responsibility level Vacancies Total staff (headcount) Vacancies Total staff (headcount) 
		
		
			 Grade 6 and above  215  65 
			 Grade 7  335  179 
			 SEO  606  590 
			 HEO Information 1,141 Information 1,923 
			 EO not available 1,358 not available 2,720 
			 AO  1,800  2,720 
			 AA  1,142  2,321 
			 Other(35)  —  18 
			 Trading funds  1,249  6,753 
			
			 Total  1,846  18,116 
		
	
	(35) Not included in the table. The 'Other' section includes staff who do not have a recorded grade and industrials on temporary promotion.
	Note:
	A breakdown by grade equivalence is no longer available for Trading Fund staff and will include staff previously classed as Industrial.

Employment

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 1 February 2002, Official Report, column 596W, what the total area in square feet of all empty properties owned by (a) his Department, (b) his agencies and (c) other public bodies for which he has responsibility was in each year since May 1997

Lewis Moonie: Other than information held concerning the dimension of offices within the Ministry of Defence, no central records are presently maintained about the size of empty properties owned by the Department, or agencies or public bodies for which I am responsible. Information on such statistics could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Employment

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) special advisers and (b) press officers were employed (i) full-time, (ii) part-time and (iii) on a contract basis by his Department in each year since 1992. (6937)
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lewis Moonie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 21 November 2001, Official Report, column 340, by my hon. Friend the Member for Shipley (Mr. Leslie).
	Information about the number of press officers working in the Ministry of Defence Press Office for the period form 1996–97 to 1998–99 is contained in Appendix 10 of the Report on the Government Information and Communication Service by the Public Administration Select Committee dated 29 July 1998. Copies of the report are available in the Libraries of the House. The number of press officers employed in the Department's Corporate Commissions division Headquarters Press Office during the financial years 1999–2000 and 2000–01 was 13 and 25 respectively. The difference in the figures relates to staff turnover throughout the year. In addition, the Defence Agencies, the Permanent Joint Headquarters, and the single Service Commands and units also employ personnel with a press officer function, some as a secondary task to their main roles. Accurate information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Eurofighter

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects delivery of the first tranche of 55 Eurofighters to be complete.

Lewis Moonie: Delivery of the first tranche of 55 Typhoons (formerly known as Eurofighter) for the Royal Air Force is expected to be completed by the end of 2005.

Focus Groups

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use he and his Department has made of focus group research since June 2001; if he will identify for each research project the topics covered, the person or organisation carrying out the research, and the total cost; and if he will publish the research on his Department's website.

Lewis Moonie: Focus group research is undertaken by various organisations and agencies of the Ministry of Defence. Information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However, the Directorate General of Corporate Communications (DGCC) carries out corporate research on behalf of the Department as a whole. Since June 2001 DGCC has let two focus group research contracts: one with Colquhoun Associates to better understand the public reaction to the events of 11 September 2001 as part of our work on theNew Chapter to the Strategic Defence Review; and the other conducted by internal staff supported by Independent Field Work Company to look into the public image of the MOD.
	I am withholding the value of each of these contracts as the information is protected in accordance with Exemption 13 [third party's commercial confidences] of the Code of Practice on access to Government information. However the total cost of the two contacts was around #34,000 including VAT. Focus Group research is an important management tool, and we do not routinely publish the reports on the MOD website. However we consider all requests for disclosure on a case by case basis.

HMS Nottingham

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost of the heavy-lift recovery of HMS Nottingham from Australia to the UK will be; where HMS Nottingham will be repaired in the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 October 2002, Official Report, column 143W, to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock).

HMS Nottingham

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to repair HMS Nottingham on her return to the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 22 October 2002, Official Report, column 143W, to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock).

Initiatives

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the schemes and initiatives sponsored by his Department and its agencies which are not the subject of national roll out, showing (a) the authorities or areas covered by the scheme and (b) the budget of the scheme in the last year for which information is available.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence has two central schemes, which have not been subject to a national roll out. In the last academic year the Department rolled out its Skill Force programme to 11 pilot locations: Ashfield (Nottinghamshire), Birmingham, Bristol, Great Yarmouth (Norfolk), Knowsley (Merseyside), North Lanarkshire, Leicester, Rochdale, Newcastle, West Norfolk, Islington (London). The budget for the Skill Force programme was approximately #1 million funded by the Treasury's Invest to Save Budget, Ministry of Defence and co-funding from local partner organisations. The initiative is expanding to 23 schemes with a start date of November 2002. This expansion is being co-funded by the DfES and Welsh Assembly.
	The Army Cadet 'Outreach' programme is being undertaken by 25 counties within the UK: Berkshire, Bristol, Bucks, Cheshire, Cleveland, Dorset, Durham, Dyfed, Essex, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Gwent, Hampshire, Kent, Middlesex, Northumbria, Oxfordshire, Powys, Surrey, Yorkshire, Perthshire, Lancashire, Hertfordshire, Leicestershire, and Wiltshire. The cost for this programme is some #150,000.
	The Ministry of Defence has a number of other schemes/initiatives, which have not been rolled out nation wide, such as Ministry of Defence base specific conservation projects. However, details of these types of scheme are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Iraq

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his best estimate of the annual production capacity of chemical weapon agents at the al-Muthanna establishment in Iraq in 1991.

Geoff Hoon: According to information supplied to the United Nations by Iraq the annual production capacity of the al-Muthanna site in Iraq in 1991 was 4,000 tonnes of chemical weapon agents per annum. This is indicative of the large scale of Iraq's chemical weapons programme at that time.
	We assess that the capacity of this production site could have been higher if Iraq had reduced the wastage rates at the site.

Job Advertisements

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many posts were advertised in the press in each year since June 1999; and what percentage of them were advertised in the Scottish press.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 24 October 2002
	This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Medical Reservists

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) regular service personnel and (b) reservists there are in the medical establishment in the British armed forces.

Lewis Moonie: As at 1 July 2002, there were 6,489 personnel in the regular Defence Medical Sendees. This figures excludes student nurses and other new entry trainees.
	As at September 2002, there were 4,829 medical and associated support personnel in the volunteer reserve forces.

MOD Salaries

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what have been the salary costs of Ministry of Defence civilian personnel in each of the past four years; and what are the projected costs over the next four years.

Lewis Moonie: The amount spent by the Ministry of Defence on the salary costs of civilian personnel over the past four years is (in outturn prices):
	
		
			  # million 
		
		
			 1998–99 2,224 
			 1999–2000 2,259 
			 2000–01 2,267 
			 2002–03 2,246 
		
	
	The latest forecast for civilian salary costs for 2002–03 is #2,328 million.
	Decisions on the allocation of the defence budget over the following four years will be made in the normal way through the MOD's annual planning process. I am therefore withholding this information under Exemption 2 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Operation Antler

David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the outcome of Operation Antler into the activities of scientists at Porton Down.

John Denham: I have been asked to reply.
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 29 April 2002, Official Report, column 609W.
	I gave an update on progress to my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury on 29 April 2002, Official Report, column 609W.
	I am advised by Wiltshire constabulary that the inquiry, Operation Antler, is still ongoing and it would not be appropriate for a statement to be made at this time.

Operation Saif Sareea

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what lessons he has learned from Operation Saif Sareea for the likely requirement for (a) additional medical personnel and (b) medical reservists to meet the UK's military commitments in 2002–03.

Lewis Moonie: Medical personnel were deployed on Exercise SAIF SAREEA II solely to provide medical support to the deployed troops. It was not intended that they should participate as part of the exercise and therefore medical facilities were not scaled to cope with casualties that could arise from an actual operation. The Ministry of Defence is satisfied that it will be able to meet its military commitments through the use of Regular medical personnel and medical reserves.

Pay Audit

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received on the pay settlement awarded to the non-industrial sector at his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: I have received eight letters on this issue. The Ministry of Defences' decision to implement the 2002 pay offer followed ballots by the three unions concerned in which a majority of votes cast were in favour of the deal. The award introduces new pay arrangements from August 2002, including bonuses to reward the best performers for their contribution to Ministry of Defence business during the year. Similar arrangements are being introduced for industrial staff following a separate ballot which also produced a majority in favour of acceptance.

Pay Audit

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to conduct a pay audit on the non-industrial staff of his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence is conducting an equal pay review of its civilian pay systems and will prepare an appropriate action plan by April 2003. All Government Departments are going through this process, in line with Cabinet Office guidance. The work is being taken forward in full consultation with, and the involvement of, the trades unions.

Photo Reconnaissance Imagery Strike Module

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the in-service date is for the Photo Reconnaissance Imagery Strike Module Improved Date Modem; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The programme to fit the Photo Reconnaissance Imagery Strike Module enabled Improved Data Modem (PRISM IDM) to Jaguar aircraft is continuing. The IDM entered service in September 2002, enabling the transmission of data over conventional voice radio links. PRISM offers additional capability and will enter service once other planned enhancements to the aircraft, upon which it depends, have been realised. Work on these enhancements is in hand.

Photo Reconnaissance Imagery Strike Module

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the contract for the photo reconnaissance imagery strike module data modem by QinetiQ is worth and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The total cost of procuring the photo reconnaissance imagery strike module enabled improved data modem for the Jaguar fleet was some #2.5 million. This figure included ground test equipment, documentation, engineering support and integration advice.

QinetiQ

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to report to Parliament on the final contractual terms and other arrangements for Carlyle Investments to become the strategic partner for QinetiQ.

Lewis Moonie: I informed Members at the beginning of September that we were about to enter a limited period of exclusive negotiations with Carlyle Financial Investments as our preferred bidder for partnering QinetiQ. These negotiations are currently well under way and, as we remain on target to complete the sale before the end of the year, I expect to be in a position to give the House details of the arrangements in the near future.

SA80 Rifle

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on recent findings of investigations into the effectiveness of the SA80.

Adam Ingram: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer that I gave on 15 October 2002, Official Report, column 550W to the hon. Member for Leominster (Mr. Wiggin).

Suicide

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many serving armed forces personnel under 25 years of age have (a) attempted and (b) committed suicide in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Lewis Moonie: We are unable to provide details of attempted suicide. Although data on all self-inflicted injuries are held at the relevant service casualty branches, information is not centrally held on whether the self-inflicted injury was attempted suicide.
	Between 1 January 1997 and 31 December 2001 there have been 19 reported suicides by members of the regular armed forces under the age of 25. These figures are based on coroners' (or Procurator Fiscal in Scotland) verdicts of suicide and excludes self-inflicted deaths with: open verdicts, accidental deaths or deaths due to misadventure. Figures from 1999 onwards may change significantly as there are a number of verdicts outstanding. These figures are broken down by year in the table:
	
		
			 Year Total 
		
		
			 1997 8 
			 1998 2 
			 1999 5 
			 2000 3 
			 2001 1 
			 Grand Total 19

Tactical Tomahawk Missiles

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what share of the contract to modify the next generation of Tactical Tomahawk missiles will be paid by the UK; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: An equally funded United Kingdom–United States programme is in progress to develop and test a version of the Tactical Tomahawk Block IV missile capable of being fired from submarine torpedo tubes.

Territorial Army

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to allow members of the Territorial Army to become eligible for senior positions.

Lewis Moonie: Members of the Territorial Army already hold senior positions in the armed forces. There are currently two Territorial Army brigadier posts and one tri- service post open to one-star officers of all reserve forces. In addition, one TA officer currently holds local brigadier rank. I do not currently plan any changes to these arrangements.

Visits

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 16 October, Ref 36810, if he will give the (a) dates of the occasions, (b) countries visited and (c) parliamentary private secretaries involved.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 21 October 2002
	The information requested is set out in the table.
	
		
			 Date of travel Country 
		
		
			 30 November to 6 December 1998 Falkland Islands 
			 1–2 December 1999 Germany 
			 16 February 2000 France 
		
	
	The parliamentary private secretaries involved were those for the Minister for the Armed Forces and the Minister for Defence Procurement.

War Pensions

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what changes he plans to make to war pensions.

Lewis Moonie: There are no plans to make changes to war pensions.

War Pensions

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to allow war widows and widowers to keep their pensions on remarriage.

Lewis Moonie: There are no plans to allow war widows and widowers to keep their pensions on remarriage.

War Pensions

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to review the recent settlement paid out to ex-service pensioners.

Lewis Moonie: Rates of war pensions are reviewed on an annual basis.

Website Links

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the website links associated with his Department, including sites now dormant or closed, and indicating whether they are live, dormant or closed; what the start up costs were for each site listed; what the operating costs were in each year since start up for each site; which company hosted each site; what assessment takes place for each site; which company does the assessment; if he will place the assessment reports in the Library; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The information requested is, for the most part, not available centrally or in the form requested, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Ministry of Defence has registered approximately 460 domain names under the mod.uk second-level domain. These are sub-delegated to numerous organisations within the MOD and armed forces. The MOD does not currently have a record of which are currently in use. A variety of other domain names (under gov.uk, org.uk etc) have also been registered locally, but no central register currently exists.
	The MOD does not currently maintain a composite record of individual websites, costs, contractors and assessments. It would entail disproportionate cost to obtain these details for all of the locally managed websites that are operated by departmental organisations.
	For the five central corporate websites of the MOD and the armed forces, all of which are live, the data are as follows. In the case of the MOD corporate website, the only metric available across all years is that of the number of hits (i.e. requests for files, including pages, images and others). For the remaining websites, the metric used is of page impressions (i.e. requests for pages only).
	
		
			 Ministry of Defence (corporate)—http://www.mod.uk  
		
		
			 Start up costs Aggregated with operating costs. Website established circa 1996, funding commenced financial year 1998–99. Expenditure includes that on MOD news website (established 2001)  
			 Operating costs Financial year # 
			  1998–99 54,000 
			  1999–2000 100,000 
			  2000–01 153,000 
			  2001–02 202,000 
			 Hosting company Financial year Contractor  
			  1996–97 Defence Evaluation and Research Agency 
			  1997–98 Defence Evaluation and Research Agency 
			  1998–99 Defence Evaluation and Research Agency 
			  1999–2000 Defence Evaluation and Research Agency 
			  2000–01 PSInet UK  
			  2001–02 PSInet UK/Defence Science and Technology Laboratory  
			 Assessments (note: news pages on separate website since December 2001) Internal statistical evaluations only. Usage of the MOD website began to be measured on a monthly basis in December 1997. The figures for 2000–01 are rounded extrapolations based on data recorded between June 2000 and December 2001 . Hits for the period from December 1997 to September 2002 are as follows:  
			  Year Number of hits 
			  December 1997– December 1998 4,576,859 
			  December 1998– December 1999 18,195,760 
			  December 1999– December 2000 20,700,000 
			  December 2000– 13 December 2001 26,200,000 
			  14 December 2001– 31 September 2002 30,786,501 
		
	
	
		
			 Ministry of Defence (news)—http://news.mod.uk  
		
		
			 Start up costs Aggregated with operating costs. Site was established in April 2001 (was previously part of the Ministry of Defence corporate website). Funded as part of the MOD corporate website expenditure  
			 Operating costs Financial year #  
			  2000–01 As per Ministry of Defence website  
			  2001–02 As per Ministry of Defence website  
			 Hosting company Financial year Contractor  
			  2000–01 Defence Evaluation and Research Agency  
			  2001–02 Defence Science and Technology Laboratory  
			 Assessments Internal statistical evaluations only. Page impressions for the period from April 2001 to September 2002 are as follows:  
			  Year Number of page impressions 
			  April 2001– March 2002 1,373,823 
			  April 2002– September 2002 500,175 
		
	
	
		
			 British Army—http://www.army.mod.uk 
		
		
			 Start up costs Aggregated with operating costs 
			 Operating costs Since the Army website was established in 1996, total expenditure on its construction and maintenance has been approximately #2,630,000 
			 Hosting company Financial year Contractor 
			  1996–97 Corsellis-Montford Interactive 
			  1997–98 Corsellis-Montford Interactive 
			  1998–99 Corsellis-Montford Interactive 
			  1999–2000 Corsellis-Montford Interactive 
			  2000–01 Defence Evaluation and Research Agency 
			  2001–02 Defence Science and Technology Laboratory 
			 Assessments Internal statistical evaluations only. Usage of the Army website began to be measured on a monthly basis in November 2001. Page requests for the period from November 2001 to September 2002 are as follows: 
			  Month Number of page impressions 
			  November 2001 1,386,158 
			  December 2001 1,104,423 
			  January 2002 1,497,885 
			  February 2002 1,001,671 
			  March 2002 1,274,174 
			  April 2002 1,475,467 
			  May 2002 1,357,795 
			  June 2002 1,308,677 
			  July 2002 1,294,325 
			  August 2002 1,304,292 
			  September 2002 1,527,909 
		
	
	
		
			 Royal Air Force—http://www.raf.mod.uk  
		
		
			 Start up costs #17,500 
			 Operating costs Financial year # Figures for previous years unavailable without incurring disproportionate cost  
			  2001–01 74,000 
			  2002–03 87,500 
			 Hosting company Financial year Contractor  
			  1997–2002 Defence Science and Technology Laboratory  
			 Assessments (note: news pages on separate website since December 2001) Internal statistical evaluations only. Usage of the RAF website began to be measured on a regular basis in 2000. Page impressions for the period 2000–02 are as follows:  
			  Year Number of page impressions 
			  1999–2000  5,730,953 
			  2000–01  9,056,317 
			  2001–02  7,164,507 
		
	
	
		
			 Royal Navy—http://www.royal-navy.mod.uk  
		
		
			 Start up costs Aggregated with operating costs. Funding commenced financial year 1999–2000  
			 Operating costs Financial year # 
			  1999–2000 93,000 
			  2000–01 96,000 
			  2001–02 114,000 
			 Hosting Company Financial year Contractor 
			  1999–2000 PSInet UK 
			  2000–01 PSInet/Insite Ltd 
			  2001–02 Insite Ltd 
			 Assessments (note: news pages on separate website since December 2001) Internal statistical evaluations only. Usage of the Royal Navy website began to be measured on a regular basis in 1999. Page impressions for the period from December 1997 to May 2002 are as follows:  
			  Year Number of page impressions 
			  1999–2000 Average 450,000 per month 
			  2000–01 650,000 per month 
			  2001–02 2,100,000 per month

White Paper

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to publish the Defence White Paper.

Geoff Hoon: I hope to publish the Defence White Paper before the next Summer Recess.